The Supreme Court on October 30 directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to examine allegations of irregularities involving bulk submissions of Form 7 applications during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh. Form 7 is used to request the deletion of a person's name from the voter list.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana asked the petitioners to submit details of unresolved complaints to the poll body.
Background
The petitioners raised concerns about bulk Form 7 submissions, alleging that applications had targeted members of a particular community in one constituency. They claimed that 32 forms had been submitted in the constituency, including two allegedly signed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Representing the ECI, Senior Advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu informed the Court that the Commission had examined the applications and found them to be false. He maintained that the applications had not been acted upon.
"Naidu informed the Court that the ECI had verified the bulk Form 7 applications and found them to be false. He added that no action had been taken on those applications."
The petitioners, however, questioned whether the alleged irregularities had been adequately addressed and sought further scrutiny.
During the hearing, the bench asked the petitioners to provide a written note identifying the outstanding issues. The Court directed the ECI to examine the allegations and take appropriate corrective measures wherever necessary.
The order stated,
"On receipt thereof, let the Election Commission examine the factual aspects, thereafter take necessary corrective steps and file a compliance report."
The bench also addressed concerns regarding the completed SIR exercise in Kerala, observing that eligible persons who might have been left out could submit representations for consideration.
The Supreme Court directed the ECI to examine the remaining allegations concerning Uttar Pradesh and submit a compliance report.
