SC Fixes Strict Deadline For SIR Cases: Who Can Vote In Bengal Polls?

The Supreme Court of India has issued a key ruling on voter eligibility in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, setting strict deadlines for inclusion in electoral rolls. The court said that voters excluded during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can only vote if their names are restored by appellate tribunals before April 21 for the first phase and April 27 for the second phase of polling. The Election Commission of India has been directed to issue supplementary voter lists based on tribunal decisions.The court clarified that only final tribunal approvals within the deadline will be valid, while pending appeals will not grant voting rights. The ruling comes amid more than 34 lakh appeals filed over voter list changes, making it one of the largest electoral verification exercises in recent times. The order aims to balance voter rights with electoral stability ahead of the closely watched West Bengal elections.