The Supreme Court of India has sought comprehensive data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding appeals pending before appellate tribunals in West Bengal concerning voter inclusion and exclusion disputes arising out of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, sought details on the functioning of the appellate tribunals established to hear grievances related to electoral roll revisions. The Court requested information on the number of tribunals, their working hours, the volume of appeals filed, disposal rates, and timelines for adjudication.
The proceedings arise amid concerns regarding deletions and modifications made to electoral rolls during the SIR exercise. Petitioners argued that while an appellate mechanism exists, its effectiveness depends on timely disposal of appeals affecting citizens' voting rights.
During the hearing, the Bench observed that the mere availability of an appeal process is insufficient unless it produces meaningful outcomes within a reasonable timeframe. The Court stated that it intends to evaluate the “performance and output” of the tribunals rather than the merits of individual decisions.
The Election Commission informed the Court that a substantial number of appeals had been filed challenging electoral roll revisions. Reports placed before the Court indicated that only a portion of those affected by deletions had approached appellate authorities seeking restoration of their names.
The Supreme Court emphasized that electoral rights are closely linked to democratic participation and that adjudicatory mechanisms created to address voter grievances must function efficiently. The Court noted that if delays in disposal appear excessive, it may consider directing a restructuring of the appellate framework.
The matter remains pending, with the Court awaiting detailed data from the Election Commission before deciding on further directions regarding the functioning and effectiveness of the appellate tribunals in West Bengal.