Karnataka gears up for first voter roll revision in 23 years, EC to launch drive by Sept 25
Bengaluru: After more than two decades, Karnataka is set to undergo a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls, with the Election Commission (EC) preparing to launch the drive by September 25, Deccan Herald reported on Thursday, citing sources.
The last SIR in the state was carried out in 2002. At the time, Karnataka had approximately 3.5 crore registered voters. That number is now estimated to have grown to around 5.5 crore.
The EC will notify the exact dates for the exercise, which has to be completed within three months once the notification is out.
The revision will be carried out in five phases, which include a crucial period for the hearing of claims and objections. According to the report, once Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) download pre-filled enrolment forms, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door visits, distributing two copies of the forms to households.
During this exercise, all proceedings related to Forms 6 (new voters), Forms 7 (objections), and Form 8 (corrections) will be frozen. One copy of the enrolment form will be retained by the BLO, while the other, with an official acknowledgment, will remain with the applicant. Citizens will also have the option to complete the process digitally via the BLO App or the ECI Net portal.
The EC has reportedly held discussions with political parties and has sought their cooperation. Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from political parties, along with volunteers, will also be involved in the process.
EC sources reportedly said the principle behind the exercise is that “no eligible voter is left out, while no ineligible voter is included”.
However, concerns have been raised over documentation, particularly for senior citizens who may not possess all the required papers. In such cases, the matter will be escalated to the Electoral Registration Officer, with the District Electoral Officer (DEO) holding the final authority on inclusion decisions.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
