The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to file its response to a petition by MDMK founder and former Rajya Sabha member Vaiko, who has challenged the special intensive revision of electoral rolls currently underway in Tamil Nadu.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the plea and listed the matter for detailed hearing on December 2.
Vaiko has assailed the notification for the revision exercise, arguing that it violates fundamental rights, including the right to equality, and runs contrary to provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. He contends that the exercise may lead to arbitrary deletions and additions to the voter list.
Several political parties including the DMK, Communist Party of India (Marxist), TVK and actor Vijay have also approached the apex court questioning the legality and timing of the special revision in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier on November 11, the Supreme Court had sought separate responses from the Election Commission on similar petitions filed by the DMK, CPI(M), West Bengal Congress and Trinamool Congress leaders challenging the special electoral roll revision in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. On that day, the court had also directed the Madras and Calcutta High Courts to keep pending proceedings on the issue in abeyance.
Meanwhile, the court has allowed the listing of an intervention application filed by the AIADMK in support of the Election Commission’s decision to conduct the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu.
The matter will now be taken up for hearing on December 2.
