Why no SIR in Assam like in other States? Plea before Supreme Court against ECI decision

A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct only a “Special Revision” of the electoral roll in Assam instead of a full-scale “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The petitioner asserts that treating Assam differently from several other States and Union Territories — which have been slated for SIR — amounts to arbitrary and discriminatory treatment.

Under SIR, the electoral roll undergoes a rigorous on-ground revision requiring verification of voters’ identity, age, citizenship, and residence through documentary evidence. In contrast, a “Special Revision” does not impose such strict documentary verification for inclusion in the voter list. Given Assam’s complex demographic history and past instances of large-scale illegal immigration, the petitioner argues that Assam requires the more stringent SIR procedure rather than the simpler Special Revision.

To support the plea, the petition refers to historical assessments, including an official report from 1997 by a former Governor of Assam, which estimated that as many as 40–50 lakh illegal immigrants could be residing in the State. It also refers to long-standing debates over citizenship and immigration under provisions such as Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which is a special provision applicable only to Assam. These references are invoked to highlight that the ground realities in Assam — involving significant demographic and citizenship concerns — are not materially different from other States where SIR is being conducted, strengthening the case for a uniform nationwide approach.

The plea points out that the ECI, in its orders and affidavits in other cases earlier this year, had committed to undertaking SIR across the country. The petitioner argues that by excluding Assam from SIR now, the ECI is reneging on that commitment without offering any legally tenable justification. The petition warns that skipping SIR in Assam could lead to retention of ineligible voters — including purported illegal immigrants — on the electoral rolls, thereby undermining the integrity of future elections in the State.

In the context of this challenge, the ECI’s decision not to include Assam in the SIR outside the pan-Indian exercise has drawn significant scrutiny. Observers note that the ECI cited the existence of a separate citizenship verification regime in Assam — including ongoing processes under the National Register framework and the special legal regime under Section 6A — as a reason for excluding Assam from SIR. The petition counters that such reasons cannot justify a blanket deviation from uniform electoral roll revision standards.

By filing the petition, the petitioner seeks to obtain from the Supreme Court a direction mandating the ECI to conduct a full Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in Assam — on par with other States and Union Territories — to ensure transparency, fairness, and reliability of voter lists ahead of elections.