Election Commission Defends Citizenship Checks for Electoral Roll Inclusion in Supreme Court

The Election Commission of India (ECI) told the Supreme Court it is empowered to examine citizenship for electoral purposes through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which aims to ensure only eligible voters are included in electoral rolls. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi argued that exclusion from the rolls does not automatically lead to deportation but may be referred to the central government for further action under citizenship laws. The court questioned whether electoral exclusion can occur before the Centre decides on citizenship status, highlighting constitutional concerns about the EC's powers and the right to vote.