SC Directs ECI to Publish Names of 65 Lakh Deleted Voters Ahead of Bihar Polls
The Supreme Court has ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the names of 65 lakh voters removed from Bihar’s electoral rolls on its official website. The court also directed that the reason for each deletion must be disclosed.
The directive came during hearings on petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in poll-bound Bihar. Justice Surya Kant noted that 22 lakh of the removed voters were reported dead, but this information was not available at the booth level. “We do not want citizens’ rights to depend on political parties,” Justice Kant emphasized.
Steps Ordered by the Supreme Court
- Publish the complete list of 65 lakh deleted voters on district-level websites.
- Include reasons for deletion alongside each name.
- Ensure public access before the final electoral roll is released.
Background
The ECI’s voter list revision has triggered political debate in Bihar, with opposition parties alleging mass deletions without proper verification. The Supreme Court’s order seeks to enhance transparency and protect voter rights ahead of the 2025 state elections.
By making the deleted voter list and reasons public, the court aims to restore trust in the electoral process and ensure that no eligible citizen is wrongfully denied their right to vote.
Also Read : Supreme Court: Bihar Voter List Check Is Not Against Voters
