Tue Dec 02 06:01:43 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:

Summary:

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the legality of the Election Commission’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Petitioners, including political parties like MDMK, DMK, and TVK, argue the SIR is an overreach of power, potentially leading to mass disenfranchisement. The ECI defends the SIR, stating it has supplied pre-filled enumeration forms to the vast majority of electors in both states and has already received and digitized a significant portion of them. The ECI disputes claims of high voter exclusion, emphasizing the high percentage of forms received back.

News Article:

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Election Commission’s Voter Roll Revision

New Delhi, December 2, 2025 – The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments on the constitutional validity of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, particularly focusing on Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The case stems from multiple petitions filed by political parties, including MDMK, DMK, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), challenging the ECI’s decision to undertake the SIR.

The petitioners, led by A.M. Singhvi, contend that the SIR exceeds the ECI’s authority under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), arguing that revisions must be individualized rather than conducted en masse. Singhvi also raised concerns that the ECI could change criteria at any time, asking for ever more proofs.

The ECI, in its defense, submitted affidavits stating that 95.65% of electors in Tamil Nadu and 99.77% in West Bengal have been provided with pre-filled enumeration forms. The commission dismissed allegations of widespread disenfranchisement, highlighting that they have already received 58.7% of the completed forms and digitized them in Tamil Nadu, and 70.14% in West Bengal. The ECI refuted claims from opposition parties of up to 30% voter exclusion in West Bengal.

The court’s decision will have significant implications for the electoral process and voter registration practices nationwide. The hearing is ongoing, and the Supreme Court’s ruling is expected to be a landmark decision concerning the powers of the Election Commission and the rights of voters.

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