The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls (SIR) ordered by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 12 States and Union Territories (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep), where elections are due, has provoked strong protests from some State governments — some have challenged it in the Supreme Court of India. The SIR was conducted in Bihar earlier, beginning in June; the Assembly election has just been held in the State.

The Opposition had opposed the SIR in Bihar on various grounds which included the haste with which such a massive exercise was sought to be done. The Opposition challenged it in the Court on the ground that, inter alia, the ECI’s power to c

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