The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has raised a red flag before the Supreme Court. It warns that Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls may remove lakhs of genuine voters — especially those without Aadhaar cards.
What’s the Dispute All About?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the SIR on June 24, 2025. The revision comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for October-November. The goal is to clean up voter lists and remove inaccuracies.
But ADR, a Delhi-based election watchdog, argues the process is flawed, unfair, and lacking in transparency.
The ECI says Aadhaar and ration cards can be faked and misused. Therefore, it excluded them from the list of identity documents for voter verification.
However, ADR highlights a contradiction. Aadhaar is used to get residence proof, caste certificates, and even passports. Rejecting it now appears both illogical and unfair.
ADR also notes that many of the 11 approved ID documents are just as easy to forge. So, leaving Aadhaar out feels arbitrary and discriminatory.
Too Much Power in Too Few Hands
ADR is concerned about the massive burden placed on Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). In several areas, a single officer handles more than 3 lakh voter forms.
This opens the door to mistakes and bias. There’s no clear process for checking documents or verifying forms. Voters might get removed without being informed or given a reason.
Burden of Proof on Voters
The Supreme Court is also examining if the SIR unfairly shifts the burden of proving citizenship onto voters already listed in the rolls.
ADR cites previous rulings to support its case. In Lal Babu Hussain v. State of Bihar (1995), the Court said voters already on the list shouldn’t have to prove citizenship again.
Similarly, the 1985 Inderjit Barua judgment ruled that being on the electoral roll itself proves citizenship.
Risk of Large-Scale Disenfranchisement
The SIR process has only three months to wrap up. ADR says that’s too little time, especially for the poor, migrants, and those without documents.
Many won’t have the chance to appeal if their names are removed. Reports even suggest that some forms are being filled without the voter being present. This raises questions about legality and fairness.
Political and Electoral Concerns
The ECI claims several political parties demanded a revision. But ADR argues that parties raised concerns about fake voters and alleged deletion of opposition supporters — not about Aadhaar use.
According to ADR, the current process may target areas with heavy migration or opposition support, thus risking genuine voter exclusion.
Legal Issues at Stake
ADR and other petitioners have challenged the ECI’s notification under Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution. These articles protect equality, freedom, life, and democratic rights.
They also cite violations of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
The ECI, however, defends the SIR under Article 324, which gives it full powers to conduct elections. It argues that the revision is necessary due to shifting populations and urban migration.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a technical dispute. It’s a constitutional fight about every citizen’s right to vote. Thousands in Bihar may be excluded without knowing it.
ADR’s petition calls for more than fixes. It demands fairness, transparency, and proper safeguards in the electoral process.
Final Thought
Voting is the cornerstone of any democracy. While we must stop fraud, it should never come at the cost of excluding rightful voters.
Excluding Aadhaar, unclear rules, and overloaded officers raise serious concerns. The Supreme Court’s decision could shape how India handles voter roll updates in the future.