In a brief but charged hearing at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) strongly opposed Kerala’s request to postpone the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The courtroom atmosphere was lively, with counsels frequently stepping in to clarify concerns as the December local body polls loom large.
Background
The Kerala government and several political parties approached the Supreme Court seeking a short deferment of the SIR process, arguing that running it parallel to the December 9 and December 11 local body elections was creating avoidable administrative pressure.
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The State had earlier moved the Kerala High Court with the same plea, but the High Court declined to intervene and directed them to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court, which is already dealing with similar challenges. Multiple political figures-including IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, and CPI(M) Secretary M.V. Govindan-have also questioned the timing of the SIR.
Court’s Observations
Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the ECI, came in firmly, making it clear that the process was almost complete. “Ninety-nine percent of voters have already received forms, and more than half have been digitised. There’s simply no need to defer,” he told the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
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He added that both commissions-State and Central-were coordinating smoothly. “The State Election Commission and the Election Commission of India are collaborating… there’s no problem. We need only a small section of BLOs, and the SEC has confirmed their work isn’t hampered,” Dwivedi said.
The Chief Justice responded in a measured tone, remarking, “You can examine the matter administratively; ultimately, these are officers allocated for the task.”
When Dwivedi clarified that different personnel were handling local elections and SIR duties, the bench seemed satisfied that the overlap was minimal. “It is a matter of a few days only,” the CJI observed.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Ranjit Kumar, arguing for the State and CPI(M) respectively, urged the court to list the matter earlier. “Local elections are on December 9. We don’t want to file rejoinders. We only need an urgent hearing,” they insisted.
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Decision
After hearing all sides, the bench directed the ECI to file a detailed status report on the SIR process by December 1. The matter will now be taken up on December 2, with the court also seeking a formal affidavit from the State Election Commission.
The proceedings ended there, with the court declining any immediate relief and keeping the next date tight due to the election timeline.
Case Title: State of Kerala vs. Election Commission of India – Challenge to Timing of Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
Petitioners:
- State of Kerala
- CPI(M) Secretary M.V. Govindan
- IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty
- KPCC President Sunny Joseph
Respondent: Election Commission of India (ECI)
Next Steps Ordered by Court:
- ECI to file status report by December 1
- Matter listed for December 2
