Kerala SIR : Supreme Court Asks ECI To Consider Extending Deadline To File Objections, Directs To Publish Deleted Names
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that the names of persons excluded from the draft electoral rolls published after the Special Intensive Revision in Kerala be published in public offices and on the official website. The Court also asked the ECI to consider extending the deadline for filing objections to deletion of names
The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the batch of pleas challenging the SIR Process in the state of Kerala.
On the last hearing, the bench was informed by the Election Commission of India that the original deadline for submission of enumeration forms, December 4, was extended till December 11. Further, following the Court's last order, the deadline was again extended till December 18.
Today, the Counsels appearing for the petitioners submitted that as per the draft rolls released, 24 lakh names have been deleted from the list.
"They have to list objections, but the list of those persons deleted is not available. Now people have to go back and file objections stating why have you deleted me, that opportunity is missing for us."
While the counsel for the ECI submitted that the bench's previous order on public displaying of draft lists has been complied with, the bench continued to pass the following order :
"Meanwhile, the persons who have been excluded from the draft electoral list, if not already displayed, will display on the offices of the grampanchayat or any other public office located in the villages and display such list on the website."
The counsel further pointed out that in the draft rolls, some people are declared dead, others are outside the state.
The Court also suggested that the ECI may consider extending the deadline for filing the objections. The Counsel agreed on the suggestion.
Considering the same, the bench further directed: " Meanwhile, having regard to the difficulty being experienced by the people at large, the ECI may consider the desirability of extending the date."
Case Title:
(1) STATE OF KERALA Versus THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 1136/2025
(2) SUNNY JOSEPH Versus ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA AND ANR., W.P.(C) No. 1137/2025
(3) P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY Versus ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA AND ANR., W.P.(C) No. 1133/2025
(4) M.V GOVINDAN MASTER Versus ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA AND ANR., W.P.(C) No. 1135/2025
(5) COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (CPI) STATE COUNCIL Versus THE ELECTION COMISSION OF INDIA AND ANR. W.P.(C) No. 1160/2025