Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : EC extends SIR schedule of West Bengal, Goa, other states up to January 19 and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
This SIR exercise, part of a nationwide initiative to update voter rolls ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in states such as West Bengal, Puducherry, and others, seeks to ensure the inclusion of all eligible citizens while eliminating ineligible entries arising from migration, deaths, duplication, or other inaccuracies.
The Election Commission on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it could determine citizenship only to the extent of registration as a voter and could not deport anyone or decide if a person has a visa to stay in India.
Vehement submissions to this effect were made by senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi on behalf of the poll panel before a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
The bench resumed final hearings on a batch of petitions that challenged the EC’s SIR exercise in several states, including Bihar, raising constitutional questions on the scope of the poll panel’s powers, citizenship, and the right to vote.
At the outset of the proceedings, Dwivedi referred to Article 326 of the Constitution to support the decision of the EC to undertake special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said it provides for elections based on adult suffrage.
He submitted that adult suffrage, in its constitutional sense, consists of three distinct elements, all of which must be satisfied at the stage of registration.