Supreme Court to examine electoral roll freeze amid pending appeals in West Bengal SIR process

MP, April 11, 2026, Kolkata : The Supreme Court of India on Friday indicated it will examine the issue of freezing electoral rolls in West Bengal amid concerns that pending appeals arising from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process may be rendered ineffective.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi said it would take up the matter on April 13 and pass appropriate orders if required.

The submission came after it was argued that the Election Commission of India (ECI) froze the electoral rolls on April 9, despite a large number of appeals still pending before appellate tribunals.

It was pointed out that a tribunal headed by former Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam had recently allowed two appeals, holding that names were deleted without proper application of mind.

Counsel contended that many similarly placed appellants — some of whom are passport holders — risk exclusion from the rolls due to the freeze.

The ECI’s counsel maintained that no changes could be made after April 9, citing the electoral schedule and statutory cut-off requirements.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that while elections require a cut-off date, the right to be on the electoral roll and to vote is a continuing constitutional entitlement that extends beyond a single election cycle.

The issue assumes urgency as the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled for April 23.

Reports indicate that nearly 27 lakh claims were rejected during the SIR process, with numerous appeals still awaiting adjudication.