It identified three core issues at stake

Supreme Court Urges EC to Consider Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Ration Cards for Bihar Voter List Revision; Cites Time Constraints

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider Aadhaar cards, Voter ID cards, and ration cards as valid documents for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The bench emphasized the importance of flexibility and inclusiveness in the document verification process, especially with the Bihar Assembly elections nearing.

A division bench comprising Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the ECI’s previously issued list of eleven acceptable documents, mentioned in its June 24 guidelines, was not exhaustive but merely illustrative.

“Therefore, in our prima facie view, since the list is not exhaustive, it will be in the interest of justice that the ECI also consider Aadhaar cards, Electoral Photo Identity Cards issued by the Commission, and ration cards,” the Court stated in its order.

However, the bench clarified that the ECI retains full discretion in accepting or rejecting documents and is not obligated to include a voter’s name solely on the basis of any particular document.

The court acknowledged that the petitions filed raise significant constitutional questions concerning the democratic process, particularly the fundamental right to vote. It identified three core issues at stake:

The legal authority of the Election Commission to initiate the voter roll revision.

The procedure and methodology being adopted for the exercise.

The limited timelines provided for the publication of draft rolls, submission of objections, and finalisation of the electoral list, especially in light of the Bihar elections scheduled for November 2025.

The Court recorded the ECI’s commitment to filing a counter-affidavit by July 21, with the matter scheduled for further hearing on July 28. The petitioners, in the meantime, have decided not to press for interim relief, given that the next hearing falls ahead of the publication of the draft electoral roll on August 1.

The case continues to attract national attention, with stakeholders across the political spectrum watching closely as it could set a precedent for electoral roll revisions in other states as well.

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