SIR: 47 lakh objections resolved; SC sets April 7 deadline for completion

 Supreme Court Reviews Progress of Electoral Roll Revision Process

PTI, April 1, 2026, New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed optimism over the progress of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, noting that approximately 47.4 lakh objections out of a total of 60 lakh have been disposed of as on March 31.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took note of two communications received from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court updating the progress of the exercise. “We are quite happy and very optimistic about the facts and figures,” the CJI said, noting that nearly 1.75 lakh to 2 lakh objections are being adjudicated daily.

The court was apprised that the Election Commission has notified the constitution of 19 appellate tribunals, headed by former high court chief justices and judges, to hear appeals against inclusion or exclusion from voter lists. These tribunals are expected to commence functioning shortly after completion of orientation for members at the Jal Shakti Ministry at Kolkata for next eight weeks.

The CJI directed that the tribunals be given full access to the poll panel’s records, including reasons recorded by adjudicating 700 judicial officers from West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand, and emphasised that parties must be provided with such reasons. It also said tribunals may evolve their own procedures in line with principles of natural justice, but cautioned against entertaining fresh documents without verifying their genuineness.

The apex court further directed the EC and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to ensure timely payment of honorarium and other expenses to judicial officers, tribunal members and staff. It asked the poll panel to either seek an extension for the current premises housing the tribunals or identify alternative accommodation in consultation with stakeholders.

“By now, total disposal (of claims and objections) has reached over 47 lakh and the Election Commission has notified the constitution of 19 Appellate Tribunals in the state. These are headed by former CJs/judges of HC,” the bench noted in the order.

The bench said the appellate tribunals will be deciding appeals that will be filed by the persons whose names have been excluded in the voter lists and those of the authorities of the poll panel against the alleged wrongful inclusions. “The appellate tribunals can develop their own procedure, in accordance with natural justice principles," it said.