Supreme Court weighs in on voter list exclusions
In a crucial development ahead of the West Bengal elections, the Supreme Court has indicated that individuals whose names were excluded from the voter list could still be allowed to vote—provided their appeals are accepted after final adjudication.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made key verbal observations while hearing concerns over large-scale deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
34 lakh names excluded, massive concern raised
During the hearing, counsel representing the West Bengal government informed the court that nearly 34 lakh names had been excluded from the voter list, triggering widespread concern over electoral participation.
The court was told that adjudication of claims had largely been completed by April 9, with only minor spillovers in a few constituencies. The bench reassured that individuals whose names are eventually cleared would be added back to the electoral rolls in time for voting.
“If names are there, they will vote”: Supreme Court
“Don’t worry — if their names are there, they will be voting,” the bench remarked, offering relief amid fears of disenfranchisement ahead of the April 23 elections.
Appeals pile up, process under scrutiny
Senior advocate and AITC MP Kalyan Banerjee informed the court that around 16 lakh appeals have been filed before appellate tribunals seeking inclusion in the voter list.
He questioned the feasibility of adjudicating such a large number of claims within a short time frame.
Court questions delays amid election timeline
Responding to the concerns, the CJI questioned what course of action the court should take if objections continue to delay the process.
“Those who have been allowed, should we even stay the names included?” the bench remarked, highlighting the challenge of balancing electoral timelines with due process.
Election process continues under watch
The observations come at a sensitive time, with elections approaching and scrutiny intensifying over the voter verification process. While the court has not issued a formal order yet, its remarks suggest that voters whose names are restored after due process will not be denied participation.
The matter remains under close watch as legal proceedings continue alongside election preparations.
Will excluded voters be allowed to vote?
Yes, the Supreme Court indicated that voters whose names are restored after adjudication will be allowed to vote.
How many voters were removed from the list?
Around 34 lakh names were reportedly excluded under the SIR process.
What is the issue with the SIR process?
The process involves verification of voter lists, but large-scale exclusions have raised concerns.
How many appeals have been filed?
Around 16 lakh appeals have been filed seeking inclusion in the voter list.
