The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stated that the Supreme Court’s decision on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls revealed that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and the Congress supported infiltrations. The Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission of India’s authority to conduct the SIR, emphasizing its role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. BJP’s national spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandhari, criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, accusing them of siding with illegal infiltrators over Indian voters.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, affirmed that the SIR process was legally permissible under the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act. The court clarified that the Election Commission had not overstepped its boundaries and that the SIR exercise aligned with the constitutional objective of ensuring free and fair elections. The Court highlighted the importance of accurate electoral rolls in upholding the democratic process, emphasizing the need for integrity and credibility in the electoral system.
The Supreme Court’s ruling addressed concerns raised by the Election Commission regarding outdated electoral rolls and the potential for inaccuracies due to urbanization and migration. The judgment pertained to petitions challenging the SIR exercise in various states and Union Territories, including Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The Court’s decision underscored the significance of maintaining accurate electoral records to uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections.
