Updating election records is an “ongoing process,” Supreme Court says

The Bench allowed the petitioners to provide details of persons who could not return their enumeration forms on time. File | Photo credit: Thulasi Kakkat

The Supreme Court on Friday (Oct 30, 2026) found it unnecessary to formally extend the deadline for re-verification of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Kerala, saying that the correction of electoral records and inclusion of voters was an “ongoing process”.

However, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan allowed the petitioners to submit details of individuals who were unable to file the enumeration forms within the stipulated time.

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

During the hearing, advocate G. Prakash, appearing for CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan, said several people were unable to complete the enumeration process due to lack of time. Counsel urged the Bench to direct the ECI to extend the deadline.

“SIR may be extended. Verification period may be extended, it is scheduled to end today. More than 24 thousand names have been excluded from the SIR process,” said Mr. Prakash.

Responding to the submission, the CJI said that the petitioners can identify the individuals who have been left out and bring their cases to the notice of the ECI.

“There is no need to extend the time as it is a continuous process… Find out where you feel there are persons who should still get a chance or an opportunity. Give it to their (ECI) notice by way of representation. We will tell them to look into it and leave it at that,” the CJI said.

Senior advocate DS Naidu, appearing for the ECI, initially termed the petitions as indecent as the Kerala elections were over.

However, the Bench allowed the petitioners to provide details of persons who could not return their enumeration forms on time.

The ECI was directed to consider their statements and submit a report to the court.

Published – 30 Oct 2026 21:48 IST