The Supreme Court of India, on August 22, 2025, took a firm but empathetic stance, urging all twelve political parties in Bihar to play an active role in helping the 6.5 million voters omitted from the draft electoral rolls a glaring gap in the state’s SIR (Special Intensive Revision) exercise. What struck the court most was the silence from political parties: despite deploying 168,000 booth-level agents (BLAs), only two objections had been submitted, a reality that baffled the bench. 

In a move to ensure inclusivity, the court directed that claim forms for correction or re-entry onto the voter list could be submitted online, using Aadhaar or any one of eleven approved identity documents part of a broader push to make the process as “voter-friendly” as possible. 

Justice Surya Kant’s words captured the court’s incredulity: “We are surprised at inaction of political parties. After appointing BLAs, what are they doing... Why the distance between party workers and local people?” 

The Supreme Court demanded swift action: parties must issue clear instructions to their workers to assist voters in submitting claims, whether with Aadhaar or other valid documents, and ensure Booth Level Officers (BLOs) acknowledge each receipt even if that doesn’t mean the forms are fully processed. 

The Election Commission, meanwhile, defended the SIR exercise, claiming compliance with prior directions such as publishing a booth-wise list of omitted voters but the court underlined that transparency must be backed by effective outreach and empathy. 

In essence, the SC’s message was clear: revision of electoral rolls isn’t merely a bureaucratic task it’s a civic responsibility that demands active participation from political groups to ensure every eligible voter is heard.