Calcutta HC Seeks ECI Affidavit on PIL Over Voters’ List for SIR

The Calcutta High Court on November 6, 2025, directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to submit an affidavit in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenges the use of the 2002 voters’ list for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The petition seeks clarity on why the revision process is being conducted on an outdated electoral list, raising concerns over the accuracy and inclusiveness of the current voter rolls.

ECI’s Stand and Court’s Directive

During the hearing, the Election Commission of India argued that the writ petition was not maintainable, stating that a similar issue is already pending before the Supreme Court. However, the High Court directed the ECI to submit its detailed position through an affidavit, ensuring transparency in the process.

The Special Intensive Revision is currently being conducted in 12 States, including West Bengal, where Assembly elections are scheduled to take place before mid-2026.

Background and Context

On November 4, 2025, Booth Level Officers and Booth Level Agents conducted house-to-house distribution of Enumeration Forms in areas such as Bijoygarh, Kolkata, as part of the second phase of SIR. The process aims to verify and update voter details, ensuring accuracy ahead of upcoming elections.

The court’s intervention comes amid growing public concern about the reliability of electoral data and whether older lists can adequately reflect current demographics. The next hearing on the matter is expected after the ECI files its affidavit.