Supreme Court says excluded voters can vote only after final decision
Supreme Court of India refuses interim voting rights to excluded West Bengal voters: The Supreme Court of India on Monday refused to grant interim voting rights to lakhs of people whose names were removed from the voter list in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29. Around 90.66 lakh names were deleted during a special revision drive, and over 34.35 lakh petitions have been filed challenging the exclusions as of April 11.
Petitioners argued that genuine voters should be allowed to vote while their cases are pending, suggesting a supplementary voter list before polling. Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee told the court that millions were seeking to prove their voting rights. However, the bench declined immediate relief, saying those whose names are restored after the final decision would be eligible to vote.
The court noted that allowing interim voting could burden appellate tribunals and disrupt the election process. It also acknowledged the Election Commission’s position that finalising electoral rolls follows a legal framework that limits last-minute changes. The bench said electoral officers would revise the list after decisions on the petitions, as the court balances voter rights with procedural integrity.
ALSO READ: Health Benefits of Drinking Saffron Water
