The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the ongoing ‘special intensive revision’ of Bihar’s voter list can be set aside if illegality is proven. The court noted that this could happen as late as September, just weeks before the Assembly polls.
The warning came while hearing multiple petitions challenging the Election Commission’s (EC) voter re-verification drive. Petitioners alleged the exercise lacks legal authority and risks undermining election fairness.
Petitions Question EC’s Authority
During the hearing, petitioners challenged the constitutional basis of the EC’s actions. They argued the Commission demanded citizenship documents—excluding Aadhaar and its voter ID—without the power to decide citizenship.
Citizenship, they stressed, is the domain of the Union Home Ministry. They reminded the court that the EC’s role is to verify a voter’s identity, not determine citizenship status.
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Risk to Election Timelines
The court’s observation raises questions about the timing of such an exercise. With Bihar elections due later this year, any annulment in September could disrupt preparations.
Critics say conducting a large-scale revision so close to the polls creates confusion among voters and political parties alike. Such uncertainty could also affect voter turnout and undermine trust in the electoral process.
Election Integrity and Public Confidence
The matter now involves more than just the legality of document demands, instead, it now touches on the broader issue of election integrity. If voters believe that the lists are manipulated, they will lose their confidence in the democratic process.
This is dangerous in a politically sensitive state like Bihar, where narrow margins often decide the outcomes. The Supreme Court’s decision highlights the balance between administrative processes and the public’s right to a free & fair election.
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EC Pushes Back
The EC defended its re-verification campaign by arguing that it needed accurate voter records. While officials argue that eliminating voter ID and Aadhar from the evidence lists ensures stricter verification.
However, the petitioners argue that these measures place an excessive burden on people, particularly the poor and those living in remote areas without access to digital documents.
From Legal Battle to Poll Impact
The court’s ruling will have a significant impact if it declares the adjustment invalid, then it will set a precedent for limiting last-minute changes to election lists. EC’s operations could expand the Commission’s operational scope, but there is a chance that it could exacerbate voter mistrust.
The Supreme Court’s warning puts the voter list’s integrity in jeopardy, and Bihar’s voting machinery is currently under intense scrutiny.
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