Supreme Court to Hear Challenges Against Bihar Voter List Revision
The Supreme Court is all set to dive into heated debates over Bihar’s voter list cleanup drive on Monday. Several petitions are challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a move that’s stirring up big political buzz just ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
According to the court’s causelist, Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will take up these pleas against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) order for the SIR in Bihar. This comes as parties gear up for what could be a game-changer in the state’s voter rolls.
Earlier this month, the same bench led by Justice Surya Kant turned down requests to push back the September 1 deadline for filing claims and objections to the draft electoral rolls. That draft came out after the first phase of the SIR exercise, aimed at ensuring a clean and accurate Bihar electoral rolls list.
But here’s the twist: The ECI stepped in with assurances to the top court. They promised that even claims or objections filed after September 1—but before the nomination deadline—would get considered for adding names to the voters’ list. This eased some tensions around the Bihar voter list revision process.
The petitions came from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other political parties, who wanted more time to submit their claim forms. On September 1, the bench made it clear in their order: "The process of considering claims will go on until the last date for nominations. Keep filing those claims and objections."
To make things easier for everyone, the court also asked the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to send out para-legal volunteers (PLVs). These helpers will guide voters and political parties on how to file online claims, objections, or corrections smoothly.
In other updates, sources say the ECI might roll out this SIR process nationwide. They’re holding a key meeting in Delhi on September 10 with all state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs). Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners and top officials, will join to discuss expanding the Bihar-style voter list cleanup across India.
This whole saga highlights the high stakes in Bihar’s electoral rolls revision, as parties fight to ensure fair play in the upcoming polls. Stay tuned for more on how the Supreme Court rules on these Bihar Assembly elections-related challenges.
