The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish the list of names falling under the “logical discrepancy” category. The bench ordered that such names must be displayed at public places in every sub-division. It further ruled that affected individuals should be permitted to submit objections through their authorised representatives, in order to reduce procedural hardship.
To strengthen access at the grassroots level, the court also directed that offices for the submission of documents and objections be established at panchayat bhavans and block offices. This measure, the bench noted, is intended to make the grievance redressal mechanism more accessible, particularly for rural voters.
“The office for submitting documents or objections is to be set up in the panchayat offices and block offices. The Election Commission (EC) shall allow submission of additional documents and objections even if the deadline has already expired. The State shall provide human resources to the EC and the State Election Commission (SEC) at the panchayat bhavans and block offices. District Collectors must meticulously comply with the directions of the EC and the State government to ensure adequate staff for smooth functioning,” the order stated.
The apex court also directed that the objections phase be extended by 10 days following the publication of the ‘logical discrepancy’ list.
The order was passed during hearings on petitions filed by Trinamool Congress leaders alleging irregularities in the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal.
Submissions in the matter began on January 13, 2026. On Monday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the TMC, argued that spelling errors had led to voter exclusions, raising concerns over the “sanctity” of the electoral roll. He also submitted that hearings under the SIR process were being conducted at locations that posed accessibility challenges for voters.
The Supreme Court bench , comprising of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, emphasised that the process must operate within the constitutional framework, ensuring transparency and fairness. It underlined that all individuals facing hearings due to logical discrepancies must be given adequate opportunity to be heard. “It goes without saying that wherever the documents submitted are found to be unsatisfactory, such persons shall be provided an opportunity of hearing. All affected persons may be heard in person or through an authorised representative,” the bench observed.
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, initiated earlier this month as part of the Election Commission’s pre-election exercise, has drawn sustained public, legal, and political scrutiny. The draft voters’ list was published after the completion of the enumeration phase, opening the statutory window for claims, objections, and hearings. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published after the completion of this process, in line with the ECI’s notified timeline.
In recent weeks, the SIR exercise has gained prominence as several eminent personalities—including senior politicians, former bureaucrats, and public figures from sports and culture—have been asked to appear for hearings due to “logical discrepancies” in their enumeration forms. These discrepancies primarily relate to missing or incomplete linkage details, triggering notices under existing electoral rules. The summoning of high-profile individuals has elevated the issue beyond a routine administrative exercise, giving it wider social and political significance.
The SIR process has also faced sharp criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has questioned both the definition of “logical discrepancies” and the overall conduct of the revision exercise. She has alleged selective application of the process and expressed concerns over its potential impact on voters’ rights.
With hearings continuing and revised timelines now in place, the SIR exercise remains under close observation. The final voters’ list, once published after verification and hearings, is expected to play a critical role ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal.
