Electoral Roll Revision: Apex Court's Stand on Narrow Victory Margins

The Supreme Court has allowed fresh applications concerning narrow victory margins in West Bengal elections linked to deleted votes during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Former CM Mamata Banerjee, among others, claims 31 seats had victory margins smaller than the number of deleted votes, sparking legal debates.

The Supreme Court on Monday permitted former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others to file fresh applications regarding claims of narrow victory margins in 31 constituencies during recent assembly polls. These claims are linked to votes deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, considered submissions by senior advocate and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee. He emphasized the grievances over constituencies where victory margins were reportedly smaller than the names deleted during the SIR.

The Election Commission, through senior advocate D S Naidu, contended that such issues should be addressed through an election petition. Moreover, it underscored that any appeals regarding additions or deletions during electoral roll revisions fall under the commission's accountability.