Updating electoral records a ‘continuing process’, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday (October 30, 2026) found it unnecessary to formally extend the deadline for the re-verification of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Keralam, saying the exercise of correcting electoral records and inclusion of voters is a “continuing process”.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, however, permitted petitioners to submit details of individuals who were unable to file enumeration forms within the prescribed deadline.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has agreed to examine such representations and submit a report to the court.

During the hearing, advocate G. Prakash, appearing for CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, submitted that several people had been unable to complete the enumeration process due to shortage of time. The counsel urged the Bench to direct the ECI to extend the deadline.

“The SIR may be extended. The verification time may be extended, it is scheduled to end today. There were over 24 lakh names excluded in the SIR process,” Mr. Prakash submitted.

Responding to the submission, the CJI said the petitioners could identify individuals who had been left out and bring their cases to the ECI’s notice.

“There is no need to extend time because it is a continuous process… Find out wherever you feel there are persons who should still be given a chance or opportunity. Bring it to their [ECI] notice by way of representation. We will tell them to examine it, and we will keep it pending,” the CJI said.

Representing the ECI, senior advocate D.S. Naidu initially termed the petitions infructuous as elections in Keralam were over. 

But the Bench allowed the petitioners an opportunity to furnish details of persons who could not return their enumeration forms in time. 

The ECI was directed to consider their representations and place a report before the court.