New Delhi: The Congress party on Thursday lauded the Supreme Court's suggestion to the Election Commission (EC) that it should permit the use of Aadhaar cards, voter-ID cards, and ration cards during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party termed this a "relief for democracy" and a "significant advance" in the ongoing legal case.

K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary, expressed hope that the EC would adopt the court's suggestion. He emphasised that the Supreme Court's prima facie view to allow these documents for voter identification during the special exercise is a major development. "That itself is the biggest thing coming from the Supreme Court," Venugopal told reporters, highlighting the court's implied directive to ensure these cards are part of the verification process in a democratic setup. The case is scheduled for further hearing on July 28.

Abhishek Singhvi, senior spokesperson for the Congress and lead counsel for eight political parties, TMC leader Mahua Moitra, and the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in the matter, refrained from elaborating on the case's merits due to its sub-judice nature. However, he stated that the Supreme Court's clear suggestion to consider Aadhaar, voter-ID, and ration cards in the enumeration process, which were previously alleged to be excluded across Bihar, marks a "significant advance." He added that other merits of the case remain open, with time for replies and rejoinders set until the end of July.

Singhvi further detailed the petitioners' key contentions, which include the argument that the EC has, for the first time, reversed the presumption of eligibility for valid voter registration. According to him, existing electors on the rolls after 2003 are now in a state of "suspended animation" unless they can prove their status, primarily through birth certificates of themselves or their parents. He also highlighted the argument that the EC lacks jurisdiction over citizenship determination issues. These substantive points will be considered by the court on the next hearing date after pleadings are complete.

The apex court, while allowing the EC to continue with its SIR of Bihar's electoral rolls, called the exercise a "constitutional mandate." A bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, however, questioned the timing of the EC's move. The bench stated, "We are of the prima facie view that Aadhaar cards, voter-ID cards and ration cards be allowed in the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls." The court noted that none of the petitioners sought an interim stay on the exercise, but it has sought the EC's response to the petitions by July 21, with rejoinders due by July 28. The top court clarified it was not doubting the EC's credentials or sincerity, but found the timing of the process to be raising doubts.

With inputs from PTI