Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Upholds 2002 Base Year for Sikkim Voter Rolls
The Supreme Court of India made a decision about voting lists in Sikkim.
A voting list tells the government who is allowed to vote.
The Election Commission is updating these lists.
It decided to use the year 2002 as the starting point.
A group from Sikkim wanted to use 1993 instead.
They said Sikkim is different from other states.
The court said the rules cannot be changed in the middle of the process.
The court said the group can ask the Election Commission for special help.
Many voters were removed from the new draft list.
The final list will be ready on September 6.
The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL challenging the Election Commission's decision to keep 2002 as the base year for electoral roll revision in Sikkim.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the 'goal post cannot be shifted in the middle of the exercise.'
The Sikkim-based NGO petitioner had sought 1993 as the base year, citing the state's distinct demographic composition.
More than 37,000 voters, or 8% of electors, were removed from Sikkim's draft rolls, reducing the count from 4.7 lakh to 4.3 lakh.
The draft electoral roll was released on July 5, with the final list scheduled for publication on September 6.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the Election Commission of India, and a Sikkim-based NGO petitioner.
- What
- The court dismissed a PIL challenging the EC's decision to keep 2002 as the base year for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Sikkim.
- When
- Monday; the draft electoral roll was released on July 5 and the final list is scheduled for September 6.
- Where
- India — the Supreme Court, with the electoral roll revision affecting Sikkim.
- Why
- The court held that the goal post cannot be shifted mid-exercise and that 2002 is the base year used across the country.
Petitioner (Sikkim-based NGO)
Election Commission and Supreme Court
Base year for electoral roll revision in Sikkim
Petitioner (Sikkim-based NGO)
Sikkim's distinct demographic composition and population data that does not correspond with electoral data justify using 1993 as the base year.
Election Commission and Supreme Court
2002 is the base year used across the country and the goal post cannot be shifted in the middle of the exercise; affected parties can seek a reasonable exemption from the poll panel.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Base year upheld
- 2002
- Base year sought by petitioner
- 1993
- States in third phase of SIR
- 16
- Draft electoral roll release
- July 5
- Final list publication
- September 6
- Voters removed from draft rolls
- More than 37,000 (8% of electors)
- Voter count before and after SIR
- 4.7 lakh to 4.3 lakh