In a brief but pointed hearing on Friday, the Supreme Court scheduled November 11 as the next date to take up petitions questioning the legality of the Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across several states. The petitions, led by civil society group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), allege that the revision exercise may result in unjust exclusions of eligible voters.
Background
The controversy began in Bihar, where ADR and others challenged the Election Commission’s SIR process. They claimed that names were being removed without transparency and that the process lacked adequate safeguards. The petitioners further argued that despite earlier assurances and court directions, the Commission is still not uniformly accepting Aadhaar cards as valid documents to include or re-verify voter identities.
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On October 16, the Court had postponed the matter, waiting for the Commission to publish its final voter list in Bihar. During that earlier hearing, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for ADR, insisted that the Election Commission must also reveal how many names were added or deleted. The bench remarked then that it expected the Commission to act responsibly.
Court’s Observations
On Friday, Bhushan again mentioned the case, pointing to what he described as growing urgency. “SIR has started in the rest of the country. They had said Aadhaar will be accepted, but they are still not accepting it,” he told the bench. He argued that the issue “goes to the root of our democracy,” since voter rolls are the foundation of elections.
The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, acknowledged the urgency but declined to prepone the hearing to Monday. “We will start on 11th November,” Justice Kant said succinctly. The tone suggested the Court intends to examine the legality of the SIR process thoroughly, rather than piecemeal through repeated interim mentions.
One source aware of the proceedings noted that the judges seemed particularly attentive to the allegation of large-scale exclusions. The bench has also earlier clarified that Aadhaar may be used as one of multiple documents-not the sole proof-to establish voter identity. The petitioners insist that despite this clarity, the ground reality is inconsistent.
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Decision
The Court did not pass any fresh directions on Friday. It simply fixed the hearing for November 11, stating that all issues regarding the legality, transparency, and execution of the SIR will be taken up then. The matter will continue under W.P.(C) No. 640/2025, Association for Democratic Reforms and Ors. v. Election Commission of India.
Case Title: ADR & Others vs. Election Commission of India – Challenge to Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
Court: Supreme Court of India
Case No.: W.P.(C) No. 640/2025
Petitioners: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and others
Respondent: Election Commission of India (ECI)
