Supreme Court Delays Hearing on Voter List Revisions Until January 13

Supreme Court Postpones Voter List Revision Hearing

The Supreme Court has postponed the final hearing on a series of petitions challenging the Election Commission's decision regarding a special intensive revision of voter lists in Bihar and several other states until January 13. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant had initially scheduled the hearing for the day but later announced that proceedings would resume on Tuesday, January 13.

Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing the Election Commission, was set to present his arguments again. On January 6, the Commission informed the bench that it possesses the authority and capability to conduct the special intensive revision of voter lists, emphasizing its constitutional duty to ensure that no foreigner is registered as a voter.

Legal Arguments and Constitutional Questions

The bench, under Chief Justice Surya Kant, reiterated that the proceedings would continue on Tuesday. Rakesh Dwivedi was expected to further his arguments on behalf of the Election Commission. On January 6, the Commission asserted its power to carry out the special intensive revision of voter lists and highlighted its constitutional obligation to prevent any foreigner from being registered as a voter. The petitions challenge the Election Commission's decision to conduct this revision in several states, including Bihar, raising significant constitutional questions related to the limits of the Commission's powers, citizenship, and voting rights.

The Supreme Court is reviewing multiple petitions arguing that the revision process may infringe upon the constitutional powers of the Election Commission under Article 324. The outcome of these proceedings is anticipated to clarify the jurisdiction of the Election Commission regarding voter list amendments and its interrelations.