SC on Monday weighed in on the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, stating that the core issue is largely one of “trust.” To address this, the top court has taken a proactive step, directing the Bihar Legal Service Authority to deploy para-legal volunteers to assist voters and political parties with filing claims and objections.
A bench comprising Justices V. Ramasubramanian and Rajesh Bindal acknowledged the concerns raised by various political parties regarding the ongoing process. The court observed that it was a “trust issue” that needed to be resolved and urged political parties to “activate” themselves and engage with the process to ensure all eligible voters are included.
The Role of Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs)
In a significant move to ensure a fair and transparent process, the court has directed the Bihar Legal Service Authority to deploy para-legal volunteers (PLVs). These volunteers will serve as a crucial link between the Election Commission’s process and the citizens. Their primary role will be to assist voters and political parties in correctly filling out and submitting their claims and objections.
Furthermore, the court has mandated that these para-legal volunteers will file confidential reports with the district judges. These reports, which are meant to provide a ground-level assessment of the revision process, will be considered by the court on September 8 during the next hearing. This directive aims to provide the judiciary with independent, verifiable information to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll.
The Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll is a critical exercise ahead of the state elections. It involves updating voter information, adding new eligible voters, and removing those who are deceased or have moved. The court’s intervention underscores the gravity of the situation, highlighting the need for a collaborative and trustworthy process to prevent any potential disenfranchisement of voters.