"Setback for opposition": BJP's Gaurav Bhatia after SC allows ECI to continue SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar

Addressing the media, the BJP leader stated that the Supreme Court's decision is a significant setback for those who sought to advance their politics through voters who did not have the constitutional right to cast a vote.

"This is a big setback for those who wanted to advance their politics through the voters who did not have the constitutional rights to cast a vote, those who did not want transparency in the voting process," the BJP leader said.

"Yesterday, the Supreme Court did not stay the Election Commission's process on the plea filed by the opposition, sending a strong message. Now, Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi need to take note of this. It's a big setback for the opposition party. Any party or individual who doesn't believe in the Supreme Court or legal process should understand this as well," he added.

This came after the Supreme Court allowed the Election Commission to continue with its exercise of conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, where polls are due later this year.

A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi did not stay the SIR process but asked the ECI to consider allowing Aadhaar, ration cards, and electoral photo identity cards as admissible documents to prove voter identity during the SIR of electoral rolls being undertaken in Bihar.

"We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc. It is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay," the bench stated in its order.

Opposition parties and leaders have earlier labelled the revision of the voter list as "backdoor NRC (National Register of Citizens)", alleging "vote theft" while also prompting them to question the independence of the constitutional body.

The INDIA bloc on Wednesday held a massive "Bihar Bandh" rally in Patna against electoral roll revision in the poll-bound state, where Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi alleged that the pattern of electoral manipulation seen in Maharashtra could be repeated in Bihar.

In its order, the top court noted that the timeline for the process is very short since elections in Bihar are due in November.

The apex court posted for hearing on July 28 the pleas challenging ECI's move to conduct SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and asked the poll panel to file its affidavit within one week.

During the hearing, the bench opined that Aadhaar should be included within the list of documents permissible as an ID proof.

"We feel since Aadhar has been taken as a solid proof for inclusion in electoral rolls... it should be included. Your enumeration list is all related to identity - matriculation certificate, etc.," observed the bench.

The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission of India's move to conduct the SIR of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

The petitions sought a direction to quash the ECI's June 24 directive, which requires large sections of voters in Bihar to submit proof of citizenship to remain on the electoral rolls.

The petition also raised concerns over the exclusion of widely held documents like Aadhaar and ration cards, stating that this would disproportionately affect the poor and marginalised voters, especially in rural Bihar. (ANI)