SC Upholds ECI’s Authority for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Voter Rolls, Directs Transparency

The Supreme Court affirmed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) power to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act and Article 324 of the Constitution.

While the court acknowledged this residual authority, it emphasised that the process must remain voter-friendly and reasonable, not burdensome. The bench directed the ECI to publish a searchable, district-wise list of approximately 65 lakh names deleted during the Bihar SIR, along with reasons like death, migration, or duplication.

Additionally, the Court underscored that voter lists must evolve and cannot remain static.