Supreme Court puts break on "disenfranchisement excercise": Yogendra Yadav welcome deicsion on voter list revision

Supreme Court Addresses Concerns Over Bihar Electoral Roll Revision

India's Supreme Court has weighed in on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state of Bihar, following challenges from opposition leaders. The court's intervention comes amidst concerns that the revision process, initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI), could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters.

Yogendra Yadav, a leader of the Swaraj Party and one of the petitioners in the case, expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's handling of the matter. He stated that the court had effectively "put the brakes" on what he described as a "disenfranchisement exercise." While the court did not issue a stay order on the SIR drive, Yadav emphasized that it demonstrated awareness of the potential risks involved.

Aadhaar and Identity Verification

A key point of contention during the proceedings was the ECI's apparent reluctance to accept Aadhaar cards as a valid form of identification, despite its inclusion in the commission's own voter registration rules. The Supreme Court justices questioned the ECI on this matter, also raising concerns about the non-acceptance of the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), which is issued by the ECI itself.

Court's Direction to the Election Commission

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to reconsider its stance on acceptable identification documents. The court specifically suggested including Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and voter ID cards as admissible proof of identity during the SIR process. While the ultimate decision rests with the ECI, the court has instructed the commission to provide justification if it chooses not to accept these documents. The court has given the ECI a deadline of 14 days to respond.

Concerns Regarding Timeline and Requirements

The Special Intensive Revision exercise was launched by the Election Commission with the aim of updating Bihar's electoral rolls. However, opposition parties have raised concerns about the strict requirements and the limited timeframe for the revision, arguing that these factors could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters from the electoral rolls. Bihar is scheduled to hold elections in November, adding urgency to the revision process.

Court's Observations and Future Hearing

The Supreme Court acknowledged the tight timeline for the revision process, given the upcoming elections. The court has scheduled a further hearing on the matter for July 28 and has requested the Election Commission to file an affidavit within one week.

During the hearing, the bench highlighted the importance of including Aadhaar as a valid form of identification, given its widespread acceptance as proof of identity. The court noted that the ECI's enumeration list already includes various identity-related documents, such as matriculation certificates.

Advocate's Perspective

Advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, involved in the case, confirmed that the Supreme Court has allowed the Election Commission to continue with the SIR process in Bihar until the next hearing on July 28. He reiterated that the court has urged the ECI to include Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards, and ration cards in the Special Intensive Revision process.

Ensuring Universal Adult Franchise

Yadav emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court's intervention in safeguarding the implementation of universal adult franchise in India, which he believes was being threatened by the ECI's initial approach to the electoral roll revision. He believes the court has now placed the Election Commission on a "short leash" to ensure a fair and inclusive process. The Supreme Court's scrutiny of the Election Commission's actions in Bihar underscores the judiciary's role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and protecting the voting rights of all citizens. The upcoming hearing on July 28 will be crucial in determining the final guidelines for the SIR process and ensuring that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.