Opposition, petitioners call SC order a big step forward
Supreme Court
's order on the
Bihar Special Intensive Revision
(SIR) exercise a "significant advantage," saying it puts the onus on the
Election Commission
(EC) to include Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card among accepted documents for
voter verification
.
"The Honourable Supreme Court has clearly suggested that three documents-Aadhaar, EC voter ID and ration cards-be considered by the EC in the enumeration process. These were alleged by us to have been excluded across Bihar. This is a significant advance," said senior advocate and
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi
, who is representing eight
political parties
, Mahua Moitra, and PUCL in the matter.
Singhvi said all other contentions remain open and the EC has time to file its reply till the end of July. The court will hear the matter again on July 28.
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He further argued that the EC had, for the first time, reversed the presumption of eligibility for existing voters by putting all electors enrolled after 2003 in a "state of suspended animation" until they proved their status. He also pointed out that the EC was demanding birth certificates, including those of parents, as proof-something the petitioners contended was outside the EC's jurisdiction.
"These and other substantive points will be considered by the court after pleadings are completed. It is an ongoing, sub judice exercise," he added.
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RJD MP Manoj Jha, also a petitioner, told ET that the order "has shown a path of inclusion."
"Prima facie, the SC believes Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card must be part of the accepted documents. There was widespread fear of exclusion, and the court has pointed to a way forward," he said.
Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), another petitioner in the case, echoed similar sentiments. ADR founding member Jagdeep Chhokar said, "We didn't get all that we expected, but it could have been worse. The court has suggested the inclusion of Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card. We will watch the EC's response. If these are not included, the hearing is on July 28."
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