The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission to publicise the list of 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft electoral roll published after intensive roll revision in Bihar. The top court also asked the Commission to accept Aadhaar as an identity proof.
The top court continued hearing matters related to special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar on Thursday. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that the Commission's actions should instil confidence in voters.
The bench, hearing the Commission's arguments, directed the poll body to publish the list of excluded voters district-wise, along with reasons for exclusion. "On suggestion by this court, following steps have been agreed to by ECI, as interim measures - list of approx. 65 lakh voters whose names appear in the voter list of 2025 but are not included in the draft list, shall be displayed on the website of every district electoral officer (district-wise). The info will be booth-wise, but it can be accessed by referring to the EPIC no of the voter," the bench ordered.
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The top court directed that the reasons for exclusion from the list must be given wide publicity by the poll body. Besides daily, Doordharshan and radio, the Court also directed the poll body to publicise the reasons through official social media channels of electoral officers. The top court directed the poll body to comply with the order by Tuesday. The bench will next hear the matter on August 22.
