The Supreme Court today made it unequivocally clear that it will not permit any obstruction in the Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in any state.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Bagchi and NV Anjaria, was hearing a batch of petitions primarily challenging the SIR process in West Bengal.During the proceedings, CJI Surya Kant emphatically observed:
“One thing, we would like to be very clear. Whatever orders, clarifications, interim directions may be required, we will have to issue. But we will not allow to create any impediment in completion of SIR. It must be very clearly understood by all the states.”
The bench heard submissions from a large number of senior lawyers representing various parties and stakeholders.
After detailed arguments touching upon multiple issues, including deployment of micro-observers, alleged street violence obstructing SIR work, and related concerns the Court issued several directions.
Among the key clarifications, the bench specified that micro-observers are present only to assist the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and they do not have the authority to take final decisions.
The CJI indicated that the Court would continue to pass appropriate directions from time to time as and when necessary, but reiterated in strong terms that the SIR exercise will not be allowed to be stalled or impeded in any state.
It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court is currently seized of multiple petitions challenging the SIR process not only in West Bengal, but also in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala.
In the case of Bihar, the Court had earlier passed several directions while the assembly elections were underway, yet the SIR process was permitted to continue without interruption.
The matter is likely to be heard again as the Court monitors compliance and addresses any fresh issues that may arise during the ongoing revision exercise across these states.
Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.