The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has expressed strong support for the Supreme Court’s interim order concerning the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election in 2025. The order, hailed as a victory for transparency, aims to ensure eligible voters aren’t left out of the democratic process.
In a joint statement, PUCL leaders including national president Kavita Srivastava and Bihar PUCL president Anand Kishore emphasized the importance of the court’s decision. The ruling allows voters missing from the draft electoral rolls to use their Aadhar Card as valid documentation for inclusion. This move addresses widespread concerns about voter disenfranchisement.
The interim order came during a hearing on a petition filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and other parties. “The order vindicates our fundamental objections raised since the sudden imposition of SIR,” the PUCL statement noted. The group has long argued that the revision process lacked clarity and risked excluding eligible voters.
Field surveys conducted by PUCL Bihar reveal alarming gaps in the current system. Many voters listed on the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) draft rolls report being directed to contact Booth Level Officers (BLOs) without any follow-up. These individuals remain unaware of their application status, putting their voting rights in jeopardy.
Aadhar now stands as a critical tool for voter inclusion. The PUCL stressed that accepting Aadhar as proof will prevent the revision from becoming an “exercise in exclusion.” Without it, thousands risk being wrongfully left off the electoral rolls.
Another major issue involves the 36 lakh voters tagged as “permanently shifted” or “not found” in the draft list. The PUCL warns that many could be circular migrants—seasonal workers or families moving for employment. The group urges the ECI to permit family members to submit SIR forms on behalf of absent adult relatives.
Transparency remains a core demand. The PUCL insists that the Supreme Court’s intervention will reinforce public trust in democratic institutions. By ensuring fair practices, the revision process can avoid arbitrary voter removal.
V Suresh, PUCL’s national general secretary, serves as the petitioner in this case, while Sarfaraz-Uddin, a Bihar voter and PUCL leader, represents those directly affected. The PUCL remains optimistic that constitutional principles will guide the process, safeguarding every citizen’s right to vote.