SC denies Bihar electoral roll extension amid trust deficit with EC

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the September 1 deadline for filing claims and objections in the Special Intensive Revision of Bihar's electoral rolls, even as it acknowledged a widening trust deficit between the Election Commission of India and political parties and urged steps to help voters who may be disadvantaged by the tight timeline. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, heard petitions by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen seeking more time after the draft rolls, published on August 1, removed about 65 lakh names from the previous register.

RJD and AIMIM sought an extension until September 15, saying there had been a sudden surge in inclusion claims after the apex court on August 22 permitted Aadhaar to be used for claims and ordered online submissions. The RJD told the court that over one lakh claims were filed in the week before the petition and that some electoral officers were still demanding specific identity documents despite the court order. The party warned that a shortened timeline could bar genuine electors wrongly deleted from the rolls from exercising their franchise.

The Election Commission told the court...