Supreme Court Affirms ECI's Role in Bihar Electoral Rolls, Limits Citizenship Determination
SC on Bihar SIR: ECI can't decide citizenship, says TMC's Banerjee
Image: Asianet Newsable
The Supreme Court of India upheld the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, asserting that the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot determine citizenship. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee emphasized that the ECI must refer citizenship-related deletions to the appropriate authority, while petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay welcomed the ruling for ensuring electoral accuracy.
- 01The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
- 02The Court clarified that the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot decide on citizenship status and must refer such matters to the competent authority.
- 03TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee pointed out procedural discrepancies in the ECI's handling of electoral rolls in West Bengal compared to Bihar.
- 04Petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay highlighted the importance of accurate electoral rolls for free and fair elections.
- 05The Supreme Court recognized Aadhaar as a valid document for voter registration, but future decisions will be made by the ECI.
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The Supreme Court of India has upheld the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Bihar, asserting that the process is constitutional and legally valid. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee stated that the ruling emphasizes that the ECI lacks the authority to determine citizenship status. Instead, any deletions based on citizenship must be referred to the appropriate authority under the Citizenship Act. Banerjee noted that the ruling is specific to Bihar and does not apply to other states, particularly criticizing the ECI's handling of electoral processes in West Bengal. Petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay welcomed the judgment, highlighting the necessity of accurate electoral rolls for ensuring free and fair elections. The Supreme Court also reaffirmed the validity of 11 specified documents for voter registration, including Aadhaar, while leaving future decisions regarding its use to the ECI.
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The ruling impacts the electoral process in Bihar, ensuring that only eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls.
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