Lawyers' Body Forms Ex-Judges' Commission To Examine SIR's Legality & Impact
The Lawyers' Association for Constitution (LAFC) has constituted an independent commission comprising five former Supreme Court and High Court judges to examine the constitutional validity, methodology and impact of the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Commission will be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice MB Lokur. Its other members are former Supreme Court judge Justice AK Patnaik, former Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad, former Delhi High Court judge Justice Rekha Sharma and former Patna High Court judge Justice Anjana Prakash.
According to a press release issued by the LAFC, the Commission has been constituted in response to concerns raised by citizens regarding the design, implementation and consequences of the SIR exercise undertaken by the Election Commission of India.
The Commission will independently examine whether the exercise ensured that every eligible citizen remained on the electoral rolls while ineligible entries were properly excluded. Its inquiry will cover the constitutional and statutory validity of the SIR exercise, its methodology and its overall impact on eligible voters.
The Commission will conduct public hearings across the country through full and regional benches. It will hear testimonies from affected citizens, civil society groups and experts.
A dedicated Research Wing will collate and analyse data relating to additions and deletions from electoral rolls across the country and place the findings before the Commission. A Legal Support Team will also examine relevant legislation, notifications and verification processes to assess compliance with constitutional safeguards.
Senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Prashant Bhushan, Chander Uday Singh, Prashanto Chandra Sen and Raju Ramachandran, along with advocates Rebecca Mammen John, Warisha Farasat and Vrinda Grover, among others, will provide legal assistance to the Commission.
The press release states that the Commission will retain sole responsibility for its findings and recommendations. Neither the sponsoring organisation nor the supporting committees will influence the substantive decisions or conclusions of the former judges.
A coordination committee and secretariat housed at the LAFC will provide operational support to the Commission.
The Commission aims to complete its inquiry and release its final report to the public by December 2026.