PIL in SC backs EC poll rolls revision, says they must be regular

NEW DELHI: Countering petitions filed in Supreme Court challenging Election Commission's decision for special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls , a PIL has been filed in the court for a direction to the poll panel to conduct SIRs across the country at regular intervals, particularly before elections, to ensure that only Indian citizens cast their vote and not illegal foreign infiltrators .

The plea, filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, said the demography of 200 districts and 1,500 tehsils has changed after Independence due to massive illegal infiltration, deceitful religious conversions and population explosion, and that SIR was the need of the hour for fair election.

"It is very surprising that various petitions have been filed before this court praying for setting aside or quashing the EC's order on the ground of violation of Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, 326 of the Constitution and provisions of the Representation of People Act and the Registration of Electors Rules. Petitioner submits that the special intensive revision exercise, rather than being violative of the aforesaid provisions, is a timely and necessary exercise aimed at ensuring purity, accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls and universal adult enfranchisement," he said in his petition.