SC Hearing: Supreme Court Says Law Doesn’t Dictate When EC Should Revise Voter List

The Supreme Court is currently hearing multiple petitions challenging the Election Commission’s (EC) special intensive revision of the voter list in Bihar, just three months ahead of the assembly elections. During the proceedings, the Court made a significant observation, stating that the law does not specify when the EC should conduct a revision, and that the timing and method of the revision are determined by the Commission itself. This reinforces the EC’s constitutional autonomy under Article 326 and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act.Opposition leaders like Tejashwi Yadav have criticized the EC’s move, suggesting political bias and lack of transparency. Meanwhile, senior advocates like Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that placing the burden of proof of citizenship on voters is unfair. The Court countered by asking if the EC isn’t obligated to ensure that only citizens vote and that some level of identity verification is essential.The SC is also reviewing concerns over the exclusion of key documents like Aadhaar and ration cards for identity verification. While the hearing continues, the Court’s initial remarks signal a tilt towards validating the EC’s authority in voter list management.

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