New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to submit a detailed response by August 9 regarding the deletion of approximately 65 lakh names from Bihar’s draft electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The order came in response to a fresh application filed by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which raised concerns over the lack of transparency surrounding the exclusions. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, argued before a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N Kotiswar Singh, stating that the data fails to clarify whether the removed voters are deceased or have permanently migrated.
The ECI maintained that it had already shared relevant information with political parties. However, the bench instructed the Commission to also furnish these details to ADR, noting, “We will see every voter likely to be affected and get the required information.” Justice Kant further remarked that the final reasoning for deletion might be available later, as the current list is still in the draft stage.
Bhushan countered that while the ECI may have supplied the list to political parties, it has not disclosed the specific reasons for voter deletions, such as death, permanent migration, or untraceability. The court asked the ECI to provide a breakdown of the deleted entries, including whether forms were submitted and if the deletions were based on BLO (Booth Level Officer) recommendations.
ADR is seeking a directive from the ECI to publish constituency- and booth-wise names and details of the 65 lakh voters who were excluded, along with the stated reasons—death, duplication, migration, or otherwise.
The top court scheduled a detailed hearing on the broader challenge to the ECI’s June 24 directive for August 12 and 13. This directive requires a large section of Bihar’s voters to resubmit proof of citizenship to remain on electoral rolls—a move that has been challenged by several petitioners, including RJD MP Manoj Jha, PUCL, activist Yogendra Yadav, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, and former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam.
The petitioners have raised alarm over what they describe as an arbitrary and burdensome process, disproportionately affecting rural, poor, and marginalized populations. ADR’s plea further argued that widely held documents like Aadhaar and ration cards have been excluded from accepted forms of identity, shifting the burden of proof unfairly onto the citizens.
The court will take up the matter again on August 12, with further arguments and clarifications expected from all parties. (ANI)
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