Recognised Political Parties In Bihar To Assist Voters: Supreme Court On Bihar's Special Intensive Revision By ECI
The Supreme Court also ordered that the voters who are excluded voters can submit their application forms with 11 acceptable documents under SIR or Aadhaar Card.
Today, the Supreme Court directed all the recognised political parties in the State of Bihar were directed to make an endeavour that the persons who are not included in the draft roll were facilitated in submitting their objections, except those who are dead or have voluntarily migrated.
The Supreme Court also ordered that the voters who are excluded voters can submit their application forms with 11 acceptable documents under the SIR or the Aadhaar Card.
A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter and directed, "All the Political Parties are directed to make an endeavour that the persons...who are not included in the draft roll are facilitated in submitting their objections, except those who are dead or voluntarily migrated."
Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing on behalf of the Election Commission of India, informed the Court that a compliance affidavit has been filed by the ECI which provided for the list containing the names of voters excluded from the draft roll, including the reasons of exclusions, in compliance of the order of the Supreme Court on August 14.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the Petitioners, submitted that they will delete names from the final Electoral Roll and there will be no reports available to citizen to contest that as the election would be due.
Senior Advocate Vrinda Grover, for an organisation of voters, raised the issue that there were many detailed issues which were not taken into account earlier but were being surfaced.
Later, after hearing submissions for political parties, Justice Surya Kant remarked that the Court will direct all the recognised political parties of the State of Bihar to come forward and assist the voters.
The Bench directed, "All the twelve recognised political parties work for correcting the draft electoral rolls, each of their BLAs can verify atleast ten such names per day. Since there are 1.6 lakhs BLAs appointed by the political parties, in this manner, about sixteen lakhs name can be verified per day."
The Court highlighted that in such a manner the exercise of verification will be completed in five days, keeping in mind that there were ten days left to submit objections.
Further, the Court noted, "What we are surprised to see is that 1.6 lakh BLAs have so far filed only two objections...On the other hand...some political parties submitted that the BLAs are not being permitted to submit their objections."
The Court also ordered that the voters can submit their application forms with 11 acceptable documents under SIR or including AADHAR Card.
"In order to facilitate voters, all the above-mentioned political parties are directed to be impleaded as respondents...", Justice Kant said.
The Court also clarified its earlier order dated August 14, stating that it will not be necessary to submit forms physically, as they will be entitled to apply online as well.
"All the Political Parties are directed to make an endeavour that the persons...who are not included in the draft roll are facilitated in submitting their objections, except those who are dead or voluntarily migrated", the Court recorded in its Order.
The Bench also directed Booth Level Officers to acknowledge the receipt of forms. The Court, however, clarified that such an acknowledgement shall not be a proof that the form is complete in all respects.
The matter is now listed on September 8, 2025.
Background
The petitions, filed by RJD MP Manoj Jha, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), activist Yogendra Yadav, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, and former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam, challenge the legality, timing, and process of the SIR. Moitra’s petition terms the exercise “illegal, unconstitutional, and ultra vires,” citing violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution, and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. During the hearing on July 10, 2025, the Supreme Court took note of the concerns raised over the electoral roll revision and observed, “An important question has been raised in these petitions before this Court, which goes to the very root of functioning of a democratic republic that is a country. The question is of the right to vote.” Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the ECI, had submitted, “Aadhaar card cannot be used as proof of citizenship...Each document has its limited purpose and is valid only for that. Aadhaar can be issued to non-citizens who are residents of India.”
On August 13, 2025, the Supreme Court remarked that the Electoral List cannot remain static and must be revised.
On July 28, the Supreme Court refused to stay the publication of draft electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar while hearing pleas challenging the Election Commission’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Election Commission in its counter affidavit in the Supreme Court, defending the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, asserts that the exercise is lawful, long overdue, and designed to cleanse the rolls of ineligible entries while ensuring the inclusion of all eligible citizens. Cause Title:
Cause Title: Association For Democratic Reforms & Ors. V. Election Commission of India (W.P.(C) No. 640/2025)
