NEW DELHI (Feb 9, 2026) – The Supreme Court of India has issued a stern warning to all state governments, asserting that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a non-negotiable process that must proceed without impediment.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, delivered these observations while hearing a petition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who challenged the conduct of the SIR exercise in her state.
Key Rulings and Judicial Observations
The apex court emphasized the constitutional sanctity of the Election Commission’s (EC) mandate to ensure accurate electoral rolls.
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No Impediments Allowed: Chief Justice Surya Kant stated, “Whatever orders or clarification required, we will issue. But we will not allow any impediment to the SIR process. This must be understood by all states.”
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Deadline Extension: Recognizing the ongoing friction and administrative hurdles, the court extended the SIR deadline in West Bengal by one week, shifting the cutoff from February 14 to February 21, 2026.
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Manpower Dispute: The court questioned the West Bengal government’s delay in providing names of 8,505 Group B officers requested by the EC, noting that the state only sent the email at midnight on February 7, despite directions issued on February 4.
The Micro-Observer Controversy
The heart of the legal battle lies in the deployment of micro-observers by the Election Commission—a move the West Bengal government claimed was an overreach.
| Party | Argument/Stance |
| Election Commission | Deployed micro-observers only because the state failed to provide adequate manpower despite five written requests. |
| West Bengal Govt | Disputed the EC’s version, claiming the commission never specifically requested Group B officers. |
| Chief Minister | Agreed in court to provide competent state officers to replace micro-observers to ensure the exercise remains local. |
The Bench and Legal Representation
The case is being heard by a three-judge bench:
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Chief Justice Surya Kant
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Justice Joymalya Bagchi
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Justice Vipul M. Pancholi
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented the West Bengal government, while Shyam Diwan appeared on behalf of Mamata Banerjee.
What is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
SIR is a rigorous process undertaken by the Election Commission to:
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Verify every entry in the electoral roll through house-to-house visits.
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Remove deceased or shifted voters to prevent “ghost voting.”
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Enroll new eligible voters (those who turned 18) to ensure 100% saturation before major elections.
