Bombay HC questions ECI over deletion of voter names during SIR; points to rule on roll

The Bench told the ECI that the Supreme Court has held that the Commission has an obligation to ensure that citizens of India are included in the voter list. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Bombay High Court at Goa questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the deletion of names during Special Intensive Revision (SIR). It said the electoral roll currently in force continues to remain valid until the draft roll is finalised under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar was hearing a petition filed by the Salgaonkar family, which said its names were dropped from the draft electoral roll despite having submitted Form 8 to change their address.

The Bench told the ECI that the Supreme Court has held that the Commission has an obligation to ensure that citizens of India are included in the voter list.

“Read the judgment. It says ECI has an obligation to ensure that citizens of India are on the list... If citizens are excluded what will we do with your SIR? If citizens are being removed from the list then what is the purpose of this SIR process?,” the Bench said.