In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to file an affidavit in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the ongoing Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal.
PIL questions the validity of using the 2002 voters’ list as the base document for the SIR enumeration process, alleging that it violates electoral norms and could disenfranchise a large section of voters.
Background: What Is the SIR Process?
The Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) is a nationwide voter verification and enumeration campaign initiated by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls ahead of major state and national elections.
Unlike regular annual revisions, the SIR process requires even existing voters to verify or re-submit their details through new enumeration forms.
However, controversy has erupted in West Bengal after reports suggested that old electoral rolls from 2002 were being used as the base list for reference, which many argue could result in exclusion of millions of legitimate voters.
Details of the PIL
The PIL was filed by a group of civic rights activists and voter rights organizations, who contend that:
- Using the 2002 voters’ list undermines subsequent revisions and ignores additions made over two decades.
- The move may violate Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality and freedom of participation.
- Many eligible young voters (born after 2002) could be left out or face bureaucratic hurdles.
The petitioners urged the Court to halt the current SIR exercise until the ECI provides a clear and updated voter base for enumeration.
Court’s Observations
A division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam observed that the issue raises serious constitutional concerns regarding the fairness and accuracy of electoral rolls.
The Court has therefore directed the Election Commission of India to:
- File a detailed affidavit explaining the rationale for using the 2002 voters’ list.
- Clarify whether recent electoral rolls (up to 2024) were considered or not.
- Submit the affidavit within two weeks, with the next hearing scheduled thereafter.
Election Commission’s Stand (Preliminary)
Sources close to the Election Commission indicated that the use of older voter data was meant for cross-verification purposes only, not as the exclusive base.
Officials also stated that the SIR is aimed at ensuring cleaner rolls by identifying duplicates and deceased voters. However, they emphasized that no eligible voter will be deleted without verification or due notice.
What Happens Next
- The ECI’s affidavit will be crucial in determining the future of the SIR process in West Bengal.
- If the Court finds procedural lapses, it may order a temporary stay on the enumeration.
- Affected voters and political parties are likely to closely monitor the proceedings in the coming weeks.
Public Reaction
The issue has sparked political debate across the state, with opposition parties accusing the ECI of acting under pressure and risking disenfranchisement of first-time voters.
Civil rights groups have also called for greater transparency in the SIR process and public access to updated rolls.