Will TMC Challenge the SIR Process in Supreme Court?
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Synopsis
The Trinamool Congress is gearing up to challenge the procedure of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision by the Election Commission in a Supreme Court hearing. Key issues include the outdated voter list and the removal of voters' names despite their participation in the last elections. Will the court intervene?
Key Takeaways
- TMC raises concerns over outdated voter lists
- Delimitation changes impact current constituencies
- Supreme Court to hear TMC's arguments
- New deadline for enumeration forms is November 14
- Potential implications for future elections
Kolkata, Nov 12 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) plans to present two critical inquiries during the upcoming Supreme Court hearing regarding its petition against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in West Bengal. This hearing is scheduled for later this month.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, senior advocate and four-time TMC Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee expressed concerns over the Commission's choice to use the 2002 voters list as the foundation of the current revision. He emphasized that the delimitation process completed in 2008 significantly altered the structure of both Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.
“Numerous constituencies that were part of the last SIR in 2002 have been dissolved following the delimitation. Furthermore, new constituencies have emerged that were non-existent previously. Thus, relying on these outdated Assembly constituencies raises questions about the validity of the current revision exercise. That will be our primary argument during the hearing at the apex court,” stated Banerjee.
The second argument that TMC aims to present revolves around the Commission’s actions of removing certain voters' names or requesting them to submit new applications even after they participated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The primary objective of TMC's petition is to obtain a stay on the ongoing SIR process.
When questioned regarding the possibility of the court staying a constitutional body’s decision like that of the ECI, Banerjee noted that while a stay might be challenging, the apex court could provide crucial insights on modifying the procedures of the current revision process.
In the meantime, November 14 has been set as the new deadline for distributing enumeration forms across the state. The previous deadline of November 11 has already lapsed, with approximately 15 percent of voters still pending enumeration form distribution.
Point of View
We recognize the importance of upholding democratic processes. The challenge posed by the TMC highlights the need for transparency and fairness in electoral practices. It is crucial that all voices are represented, ensuring the integrity of our electoral system.
NationPress
13/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and verify the voters' list before elections.
Why is TMC challenging the SIR?
TMC is challenging the SIR due to concerns over the use of an outdated voters list and the removal of names of voters who had previously participated in elections.
What changes have occurred in constituencies since 2002?
The delimitation process completed in 2008 significantly restructured constituencies, leading to the dissolution of some and the creation of new ones.
What is the timeline for the SIR process?
The current deadline for completing the distribution of enumeration forms is November 14, following an earlier deadline of November 11 that has already passed.
Can the Supreme Court stay the ECI's decisions?
While it may be difficult for the Supreme Court to stay a constitutional body's decision, it can provide guidance on procedural changes.
