The Supreme Court of India has directed political parties to assist the Election Commission of India (ECI) in restoring the electoral rights of thousands of voters in Bihar who were previously excluded from the electoral roll. The directive came in response to a petition filed by the ECI, which sought the court’s intervention to address the issue of a large number of voters being left out of the rolls due to procedural errors or a lack of documentation. The court’s intervention is a significant development and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to protecting the fundamental right to vote for all citizens.
The issue came to light when the ECI’s internal audit revealed that a substantial number of voters, particularly from marginalised communities, had been inadvertently left out of the electoral roll. Many of these individuals were unable to provide the required documentation, such as Aadhaar cards, which are now a prerequisite for voter registration. The Supreme Court’s order allows these voters to file claims using their Aadhaar number as a form of identification, a move that is expected to streamline the registration process and ensure that no eligible voter is left out. The court also ordered the ECI to work with the political parties to raise awareness about the issue and to assist the excluded voters in filing their claims.
The Supreme Court’s decision is being hailed as a landmark judgment that will help to strengthen India’s democratic process. It is a clear message that every citizen’s right to vote must be protected and that no one should be excluded from the electoral process due to procedural hurdles. The ECI has welcomed the court’s decision and has assured that it will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the excluded voters are re-registered in a timely manner. The collaboration between the judiciary, the ECI, and political parties is a crucial step towards ensuring a more inclusive and representative democracy in India.
