10 hrs ago
Maharashtra SIR Challenged in Bombay High Court, Voters Seek Restoration
Two petitions have been filed in the Bombay High Court about Maharashtra’s voter-list review.
The review is called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
The petitioners say some voters were deleted and want them restored.
They also want the court to cancel some instructions connected to the review.
One petition asks for an independent committee to investigate data deletions and software problems.
Another asks election officials to explain how voters were classified and excluded.
The petitions followed reports that two Election Commissioners objected to some SIR decisions.
The articles do not include a response from the Election Commission of India.
Two writ petitions challenge Maharashtra’s Special Intensive Revision process in the Bombay High Court.
The pleas seek restoration of every voter deleted during the SIR exercise or quashing of Maharashtra-specific SIR directions.
Petitioners also seek disclosure of 14 SIR decisions, polling-station rationalisation criteria, and ECINET specifications.
One plea requests an independent judicial committee to investigate alleged data deletions and software blockages.
The petitions followed reports of Election Commissioner objections and seek safeguards before voters are excluded.
- Who
- Four Maharashtra residents filed one petition, while two Mumbai residents filed another; the Election Commission of India and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are named in the pleas.
- What
- Two writ petitions challenge Maharashtra’s Special Intensive Revision and seek restoration of deleted voters, disclosure of election-related decisions, and other safeguards.
- Where
- The cases concern Maharashtra and were filed before the Kolhapur circuit bench of the Bombay High Court.
- When
- The petitions were filed on a Thursday after reports about objections by two Election Commissioners; one was likely to be mentioned on Monday, September 28.
- Why
- The petitioners allege that the SIR process undermined constitutional protections and seek legally compliant electoral rolls and procedural safeguards for voters.
Petitioners’ Claims
Election Authorities’ Position
Validity of the SIR process
Petitioners’ Claims
The petitioners argue that the SIR directions and related administrative orders eroded constitutional norms and seek their quashing or modification.
Election Authorities’ Position
The articles report the challenged directions but do not provide a response from the Election Commission of India or Gyanesh Kumar.
Deleted voters
Petitioners’ Claims
The petitioners seek restoration of every voter deleted during the SIR and want no voter excluded without notice, a hearing, and a reasoned order.
Election Authorities’ Position
The articles do not state the Election Commission’s position on the requested restoration or procedural safeguards.
Investigation and transparency
Petitioners’ Claims
The pleas seek disclosure of SIR decisions, methodology, recorded dissents, and an independent judicial committee to investigate alleged data deletions and software blockages.
Election Authorities’ Position
The articles do not report whether election authorities have agreed to disclose the information or support an independent investigation.
Key facts
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Bench
- Kolhapur circuit bench
- State concerned
- Maharashtra
- Election exercise
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Main requests
- Restore deleted voters or quash Maharashtra’s SIR directions
- Additional requests
- Disclose 14 decisions, polling-station criteria, and ECINET specifications
- Procedural safeguards sought
- Notice, an opportunity for a hearing, and a reasoned order before exclusion
Sources
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