1 hr ago
Supreme Court Questions ECI Over Delhi SIR Notices
The Election Commission is checking voter lists in Delhi.
Some people received notices saying there may be a “logical discrepancy” in their information.
The Supreme Court said the notices must clearly explain what problem voters need to answer.
Lawyers for voters said many people do not know what documents or facts they must provide.
They also said about 47 lakh names were left out of a draft voter list.
The Election Commission said the notices do include reasons and that its list of accepted documents is not complete.
It said about 14,000 local election officers are helping voters.
The Court asked the Commission to report what it is doing and ensure that no voter is removed without following the required process.
The Supreme Court questioned the Election Commission of India about notices issued under the “logical discrepancies” category during Delhi’s electoral-roll revision.
Petitioners challenged the notices, saying they often do not explain the specific discrepancy or evidence voters must address.
The petitioners said about 47 lakh names were excluded from Delhi’s draft roll, while notices were issued to roughly 33 lakh other voters.
The ECI said every notice contains a reason, that its document list is not exhaustive, and that no voter will be deleted without due process.
The Court ordered a status report, asked the ECI to follow interim directions from Bihar and West Bengal cases, and considered extending the October 29 deadline.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India, Delhi election officials, and petitioners representing affected voters.
- What
- The Court questioned the basis and communication of notices issued under the “logical discrepancies” category during Delhi’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- Delhi, before the Supreme Court.
- When
- The matter was heard on Tuesday during the ongoing revision; the ECI identified October 29 as the response deadline.
- Why
- Petitioners challenged the notices and draft-roll exclusions, arguing that voters were not given sufficient information about the objections or the evidence required to respond.
Petitioners’ concerns
Election Commission’s response
Clarity of notices
Petitioners’ concerns
Notices often do not identify the precise discrepancy, supporting material, or facts voters must establish, making it difficult to respond.
Election Commission’s response
The ECI said every notice contains a reason and indicated that the issue was not as serious as the petitioners suggested.
Documents required
Petitioners’ concerns
Many ordinary voters have limited records, and documents such as proof of age or residence may not address alleged discrepancies involving parents or other information.
Election Commission’s response
The ECI said the 12 documents referred to in the verification process are not exhaustive.
Scale and administration
Petitioners’ concerns
The large number of exclusions and notices creates practical difficulties, particularly for voters required to appear with documents.
Election Commission’s response
The ECI said it deployed 14,000 Booth Level Officers and 1,200 Electoral Registration Officers, organised camps, created WhatsApp groups, and would not delete any voter without following the prescribed process.
Key facts
- Exercise
- Special Intensive Revision of Delhi’s electoral rolls
- Draft-roll exclusions
- Petitioners said around 47 lakh names were excluded from the draft roll.
- Notices
- Petitioners said around 33 lakh voters whose names remained in the draft roll received notices.
- Notice category
- “Logical discrepancies”
- Election personnel
- The ECI said it deployed 14,000 Booth Level Officers and 1,200 Electoral Registration Officers.
- Deadline
- October 29, with the ECI saying it was open to extending the deadline if needed.
- Court requirement
- The ECI was directed to file a status report on steps taken in response to the concerns.
Quotes
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and head of the Supreme Court bench hearing the Delhi SIR petitions
“You need to clarify logical discrepancy a little”
NDTV
Sources
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