Consider Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards for electoral rolls: SC to poll body

While questioning the timing of the exercise of the Election Commission in conducting Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the poll body to continue with its special revision of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state calling it a "constitutional mandate".

- MPOST BUREAU

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, offered its prima facie view that Aadhaar card, voter ID card and ration cards could be considered during the SIR in Bihar.

"We are of the prima facie view that Aadhaar cards, Voted ID cards and the Ration cards be allowed in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls," it said.

Noting that none of the petitioners, including leaders of 10 Opposition parties, prayed for an interim stay of the poll panel's exercise, the bench sought response on the batch of petitions and posted the hearing on July 28.

The ECI, the bench said, should file a counter affidavit to the petitions by July 21 and rejoinders should be filed by July 28.

The bench said it was not doubting the credentials and sincerity of the EC in doing the exercise which was a constitutional mandate but said the timing of the process were raising doubts.

"We are not doubting your sincerity but there are perceptions. We are not thinking of stopping you because it is a constitutional mandate," the bench told senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the poll panel.

The high-stakes hearing included arguments on disenfranchisement and determinants of citizenship. The bench observed: "Your exercise is not the problem... it is the timing. We have serious doubts if you can manage this exercise. With such a big population (an estimated eight crore people) being subject to this 'intensive review, is it possible to link this to the forthcoming election?"

The court also asked the poll panel tough questions about an individual's right to appeal a potential exclusion from the list of voters. "... a person will be disenfranchised ahead of the election and s/he won't have the time to defend the exclusion before voting," Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia noted.