The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for filing objections to the voter list related to SIR in Bihar to September 15. The court stated that the lack of trust between the Election Commission and political parties is unfortunate.
Bihar SIR: While hearing the matter related to SIR (Special Intensive Revision) in Bihar on Monday, the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns about the electoral process and the draft voter list. The court remarked that the lack of trust between the Election Commission and political parties in Bihar is unfortunate. The Supreme Court also clarified that extending the deadline for filing objections to the draft voter list is necessary so that all parties can present their arguments.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi presided over the hearing and stated that transparency and trust are very important in the electoral process. The court extended the deadline for filing objections to the draft voter list prepared after the Special Intensive Revision.
Lack of Trust Between the Election Commission and Political Parties
During the hearing, the Supreme Court observed that a lack of trust is evident between the Election Commission and political parties in Bihar. This situation is a cause for concern for the electoral process. The court termed this deficiency as unfortunate and stated that for the strengthening of democracy, it is essential that all parties have faith in the process of preparing and revising the voter list.
The court further added that the preparation of the voter list is not merely an administrative procedure but a fundamental part of democracy. It is essential to hear the objections of all petitioners and political parties and provide them with adequate time.
Decision to Extend the Deadline
The Supreme Court extended the initial deadline for filing objections to the draft voter list prepared after the Special Intensive Revision. This deadline was previously September 1, 2025, and has now been extended to September 15, 2025.
The aim of this decision is to ensure that all parties, especially those wishing to add or remove names from the voter list, can submit their objections in a timely manner. The court stated that this process should be transparent and fair for everyone.
Election Commission's Argument and Petitioners' Objections
Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission, informed the court that the people of Bihar have no issues with the Special Intensive Revision. Only the petitioners are dissatisfied with this process.
The Election Commission stated that most of the applications received are for the deletion of names from the voter list, while the number of applications for adding names is very low. The Commission argued that extending the deadline would disrupt the entire schedule for finalizing the voter list before the elections. If the deadline is further extended, the review could become an endless process.
On the other hand, the petitioners informed the court that there is a lack of transparency in the Election Commission's process, and they are not being provided with proper information in a timely manner. Taking note of this, the court remarked that it is essential to hear the objections of all parties.
Ultimately, the Supreme Court extended the deadline to September 15. The court clarified that all parties should be given adequate time and opportunity so that no errors or grievances remain in the voter list. The Supreme Court also stated that it is necessary to establish trust between the Election Commission and political parties in the state. Maintaining transparency, fairness, and timeliness in the electoral process is crucial in a democracy.
