The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea on Tuesday filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders challenging the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The petition, which accuses the Election Commission of India of political bias, alleges that the revision process may lead to the exclusion of marginalized voters. Mamata Banerjee seeks directions to ensure that legitimate voters are not left out of the electoral rolls.
In response to the deadlock between the West Bengal government and the poll body, the apex court had earlier directed the involvement of judicial officers in deciding objections and claims filed by voters. The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court was instructed to nominate serving and retired judicial officers to assist in the adjudication process.
The Supreme Court has allowed judicial officers from neighboring High Courts to be deputed to West Bengal to expedite the resolution of voter claims and objections arising from the ongoing SIR exercise. The court clarified that the Election Commission can proceed with publishing the final electoral roll even if some cases are pending adjudication. Voters included in subsequent supplementary lists will be considered part of the final electoral roll.
