Tue Oct 28 16:48:19 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:
Summary:
The Election Commission of India (ECI)’s authority to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is being challenged in the Supreme Court. The court is questioning the ECI’s powers to undertake the exercise and the procedure being followed. Petitioners argue the SIR is essentially a citizenship screening process that violates fundamental rights and existing laws. The ECI defends its actions, citing Article 324 of the Constitution, which grants it broad powers to conduct elections, and arguing it has a duty to verify citizenship as a prerequisite for voting. The second phase of the SIR is underway, covering 51 crore voters in 12 States and Union Territories, with some modifications introduced based on the experience of the first phase in Bihar. The inclusion of a ‘relative’s’ voter information is also raising concerns about potential lineage verification.
News Article:
Supreme Court Questions Election Commission’s Authority in Electoral Roll Revision
NEW DELHI – October 28, 2025 – The Supreme Court is scrutinizing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) power to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, raising concerns about potential overreach and infringement on voter rights. The second phase of the SIR, targeting 51 crore voters across 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, is already underway amidst the legal challenge.
Petitioners argue that the SIR, initiated under Section 21(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, exceeds the ECI’s legal mandate and violates the fundamental rights of voters. They allege the SIR is being used as a pretext for “citizenship screening,” despite the existence of specific laws like the Citizenship Act to deal with citizenship issues.
The Supreme Court has already raised critical questions about the ECI’s authority to undertake the SIR and the procedures it is employing. While it allowed the initial SIR exercise in Bihar to proceed, the court intervened to ensure greater transparency, including ordering the inclusion of Aadhaar as a proof of identity.
The ECI, however, maintains it has the plenary power under Article 324 of the Constitution to conduct the SIR and determine procedures, citing the need to ensure only Indian citizens are registered to vote. The ECI contends it has the authority to check the citizenship of electors.
The latest phase of the SIR includes modifications, such as accepting Aadhaar as proof of identity. However, concerns remain about a new column in the enumeration form requiring details of relatives who were voters in the last SIR, raising fears of lineage verification.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the constitutionality of the SIR exercise on November 4. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the electoral process and the rights of millions of Indian voters.
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