The Supreme Court has expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, noting the rapid disposal of objections related to voter lists. The development comes amid ongoing hearings on multiple petitions concerning the revision exercise ahead of the state elections.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant reviewed the latest status report submitted by the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice and described the progress as encouraging and “optimistic” based on the figures presented.

Nearly 2 lakh objections decided daily

According to the report, authorities are currently disposing of approximately 1.75 lakh to 2 lakh objections every day. This accelerated pace has significantly reduced the backlog of cases related to the voter list revision process.

The Supreme Court noted that judicial officers handling the exercise have been working continuously to ensure timely disposal. The scale of the operation has been described as massive, requiring coordinated efforts between the judiciary and election authorities.

Over 47 lakh objections already resolved

Out of nearly 60–65 lakh objections filed during the SIR process, more than 47 lakh cases have already been disposed of as of March 31. This indicates that a substantial portion of the verification process has been completed within a limited timeframe.

The court acknowledged the efficiency of the process and said the figures reflect serious administrative and judicial commitment toward ensuring accuracy in electoral rolls.

Deadline set for completion

The Supreme Court was informed that, at the current pace, all remaining objections are likely to be resolved by April 7. This timeline is crucial as it aligns with the upcoming election schedule in the state.

The bench emphasized the importance of completing the process within the stipulated timeframe to avoid any disruption in the electoral process.

Large-scale judicial mechanism in place

To handle the enormous number of objections, a large judicial framework has been established. This includes the deployment of hundreds of judicial officers and the creation of dedicated infrastructure to process cases efficiently.

Additionally, appellate mechanisms have also been set up to ensure that individuals dissatisfied with decisions can seek further review, reinforcing transparency and fairness in the process.

Background of the SIR exercise

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive exercise conducted to verify and update electoral rolls. It involves scrutiny of voter eligibility, correction of entries, and removal of discrepancies.

The process in West Bengal has been under judicial scrutiny due to its scale and political sensitivity, with multiple petitions raising concerns over transparency and implementation. The Supreme Court has been closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the exercise remains fair and does not lead to wrongful exclusion of voters.

Court remains optimistic

While hearing the matter, the Supreme Court conveyed confidence in the ongoing efforts and indicated that the process is moving in the right direction. The bench stated that it is “happy” with the progress and hopeful that the remaining work will be completed smoothly.

The case will continue to be monitored as the deadline approaches, with further hearings expected to review final outcomes and any pending concerns.