Supreme Court Clarifies Use of Class 10 Admit Cards for Voter Roll Verification in West Bengal

Supreme Court's Ruling on Voter Roll Verification

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court provided clarity regarding the use of Class 10 admit cards issued by the West Bengal education board. These documents can only serve as verification tools during the special intensive revision of voter rolls if accompanied by the respective pass certificate.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi stated that Aadhaar cards, Class 10 admit cards, and passing certificates would be accepted as proof of eligibility in the voter roll revision process.

This clarification followed concerns raised by an advocate regarding the acceptability of admit cards as standalone identity documents.

The court emphasized that judges from West Bengal, tasked with expediting the voter roll revision, are familiar with the information contained in the Class 10 admit card, which aids the Election Commission and those verifying the documents.

West Bengal is one of the 12 states and Union Territories currently undergoing a special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

The draft electoral rolls for the state were released on December 16, revealing that over 58 lakh voters had been removed due to being marked as deceased, relocated, or absent.

These deletions from the draft roll are provisional, allowing citizens to contest the removal of their names through claims and objections.

On February 10, the Election Commission extended the deadline for responding to notices until February 14, with the final voter list now scheduled for publication on February 28.

Assembly elections in West Bengal are anticipated to take place in April or May.

Additionally, the Supreme Court has permitted judges from Odisha and Jharkhand to assist in addressing claims and objections during this process.