Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: The Supreme Court rejected a bid to change the electoral roll cut-off date for Sikkim. On August 17, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant upheld the Election Commission of India decision to keep 2002 as the base year for the Special Intensive Revision. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana joined the Chief Justice on the bench.
The Sikkimese Mulniwasi Surakcha Sangh filed the petition. They wanted 1993 set as the base year instead. The group claimed the 2002 revision allowed migrant populations into the rolls, skewing the state demographic. Counsel for the petitioners argued that Sikkim requires special treatment due to its small communities and proximity to neighboring areas. The lawyer admitted uncertainty about whether 1993 was the correct year.
The Election Commission pushed back. They noted that the 2002 roll underwent massive updates and serves as a uniform national standard. Changing it now would force the entire revision process to start over. The judges also questioned why the organization brought the suit while no local political party or stakeholder joined the challenge.
The Chief Justice pressed the group on their legitimacy. He challenged how a group operating out of Delhi could speak for Sikkim. "None of the political parties has come forward. None of the stakeholders has come forward. It is acceptable to everyone," the Chief Justice stated. The court found that political parties would naturally act if the process harmed their interests.
Sikkim achieved statehood well before 2002, stripping the argument for special treatment of its legal weight. The court denied the petition. "We have heard you. We do not find any ground to interfere with the cut-off year," the bench concluded. Judges allowed the organization to take their concerns to the Sikkim state government instead.
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