Patna/New Delhi, July 6 — The Election Commission’s move to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections has triggered a legal and political backlash, with TMC MP Mahua Moitra, activist Yogendra Yadav, and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) joining the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in challenging the order before the Supreme Court.
The EC’s June 24 directive, which marks the first such revision in Bihar since 2003, aims to purge the voter rolls of ineligible names and update them with new, eligible citizens. Citing factors such as rapid urbanisation, migration, the inclusion of illegal foreign nationals, and non-reporting of deaths, the EC had called the exercise a necessary update to ensure electoral integrity.
However, the move has raised alarm among civil society groups and opposition voices. Petitioners argue that the SIR could lead to the disenfranchisement of nearly 3 crore voters, and claim it is being carried out without sufficient legal safeguards or transparency.
“The EC’s order is not just arbitrary and unconstitutional—it poses a serious threat to democratic participation,” Moitra stated in her petition, alleging the revision violates Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution, along with provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Echoing this concern, Yogendra Yadav, in his plea, described the SIR as “manifestly arbitrary, unreasonable, and violative of electoral laws.” He urged the apex court to issue an immediate stay on the implementation of the June 24 order, warning of large-scale voter exclusion in the run-up to the crucial Bihar polls slated for October–November 2025.
The PUCL, in its petition, contended that the Election Commission has failed to establish any legitimate aim for undertaking a special revision at this juncture and did not ensure protection against disproportionate harm to electors. “Without adequate procedural safeguards, this exercise risks violating fundamental rights and distorting the electoral landscape,” the PUCL argued.
The ADR, which filed the first public interest litigation on the matter over the weekend, has also urged the Supreme Court to set aside the SIR order entirely. It maintained that the process, if allowed to proceed, would likely result in arbitrary deletions from the electoral rolls and violate the core principles of universal adult franchise.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has stood by its order. In a statement issued from Patna, it clarified that voters are allowed to submit documents to verify their eligibility until July 25, and those who miss the deadline can still participate during the Claims and Objections period. It accused critics of misrepresenting the June 24 order and attempting to “confuse the public with incorrect and misleading statements.”
The EC further stated that the SIR is proceeding as per schedule, and the draft electoral roll will include names of existing voters whose enumeration forms have been received. The Bihar Chief Electoral Officer, in a social media post, reaffirmed that due process was being followed.
With the matter now before the Supreme Court, all eyes are on how the bench will respond to the growing number of petitions challenging the EC’s voter revision drive. The legal battle over the SIR has not only sharpened tensions ahead of the Bihar elections but also reignited debate over the balance between electoral integrity and citizens’ rights.
Read More: ADR Moves SC Against EC’s Bihar Voter Roll Revision
