Supreme Court Seeks Replies on SIR Roll Dispute as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Await Key Ruling

Supreme Court of India has ordered the West Bengal State Election Commission and the state government to file formal replies to petitions challenging the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. 

The fresh hearing follows a November 11 order, in which the Court asked the respective High Courts to keep in abeyance pending petitions including those filed by the TMC and Congress until the apex court rules on the matter. 

The second phase of SIR, announced on October 27, 2025, covers 12 States and Union Territories among them poll-bound West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. 

Under the schedule, house-to-house enumeration began on November 4 and will continue until December 4, with final electoral rolls expected by February 7, 2026. 

The Court’s direction to the Election Commission aims to ensure that all legal issues surrounding SIR are addressed before the exercise proceeds. 

Ahead of the verdict, the continued uncertainty has raised concerns among political parties and civil society about possible disenfranchisement and the integrity of the electoral roll-revision process.