Supreme Court refuses to stay Bihar voter list revision, urges ECI to allow Aadhaar [10.7.2025]

The Supreme Court on Thursday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider accepting Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and EPIC (electoral photo identity) cards as valid documents to prove voter identity in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in .

 A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi declined to stay the revision process but questioned the ECI’s decision to exclude Aadhaar as identity proof. Although no interim relief was granted, the apex court made it clear that if the ECI chooses not to accept Aadhaar, EPIC, or ration cards, it must explain the reasons.

“After going through the documents, ECI  has pointed out that the list of documents for verification of voters include 11 documents and is not exhaustive. Thus, in our opinion, it would be in the interest of justice if Aadhaar card, EPIC card and ration card be included. It is for the ECI to still decide whether it wants to take the documents or not. If it does not take the documents, (it has to) give reasons for the same and the same shall satisfy the petitioners,” the top court said.

The top court was hearing petitions filed by opposition leaders and NGOs challenging the ECI’s June 24 directive initiating the SIR ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections in November. It noted the tight timeline and issued a notice to the ECI, seeking its reply by July 21.  

The matter will next be heard on July 28. 


11 Jul 2025