The Supreme Court expressed contentment with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Over 47 lakh objections have been resolved out of a total of more than 60 lakh cases, with the rest expected to be decided by April 7. The Court noted the daily resolution of 1.75 to 2 lakh objections, aiming to complete the process by the set deadline.
The Court reviewed the establishment of Appellate Tribunals in Kolkata, headed by former High Court Chief Justices and judges. The Election Commission of India has notified 19 such tribunals, ensuring infrastructure support for an initial eight weeks. The training of tribunal members is ongoing to handle appeals efficiently, both online and offline.
Addressing concerns about the lack of reasons for inclusion or exclusion in electoral rolls, the Court emphasized the need for dedicated columns in the software to record reasons. Appellate Tribunals were directed to have full access to these records during the appeals process. The Court stressed that while the tribunals can develop their procedures, they should not accept new documents without verifying their authenticity.
Senior advocates raised issues regarding the filing of numerous Form 6 applications seeking inclusion during the ongoing adjudication. The Court dismissed concerns of potential integrity compromise, deeming them premature. The statutory framework allows eligible voter inclusions until the last nomination date, ensuring no obstruction to legitimate rights.
The apex court instructed the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to ensure timely payment and logistical support to all involved in the SIR process. The matter is scheduled for further review on April 7 at 4 p.m., focusing on the Appellate Tribunals’ functionality and overall progress post-adjudication.
