The Supreme Court on Monday declined to halt the release of draft electoral rolls in Bihar but instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to keep accepting Aadhaar and voter ID cards as valid identity proofs during the special intensive revision (SIR) of the rolls. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, noted that Aadhaar and voter ID cards hold a presumption of authenticity, unlike ration cards, which can be easily forged.The petitioners, represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, had requested the court to stop the finalisation of the electoral rolls for the time being. However, the court pointed out that interim relief had not been sought during the previous hearing, and thus such a request could not be considered now.The bench said it would make a final decision after hearing all parties on Tuesday. It added that the ECI could address any instances of forgery on a case-to-case basis.Earlier, on 10 July, the court had advised the ECI to accept Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards for the SIR process in Bihar before the Assembly polls, clarifying that possession of these documents alone would not automatically entitle a person to be included in the rolls.The ECI, in a counter-affidavit, argued that these documents could not be considered as conclusive proof of voter eligibility during the revision process. The case challenges the ECIโs 24 June directive ordering a special revision of the stateโs electoral rolls.The court also observed that the petitions involved significant questions related to the citizensโ right to vote, a matter central to the functioning of democracy in India.
SC Permits Publication of Bihar Draft Voter List
