The Supreme Court on Tuesday instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to examine the possibility of granting an additional extension for submitting enumeration forms under Kerala’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing the overlap with the ongoing local body election process.

A bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was informed that the ECI had already prolonged the deadline from December 4 to December 11. Kerala’s local body polls are scheduled for December 9 and 11, with the counting set for December 13.

Noting that several officials involved in local poll duties may not have adequate time to upload the SIR forms, the CJI told Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who appeared for the ECI: "You extend it more so anyone missed out they will also get an opportunity."

In its order, the Court observed that the plea for further time was "just and fair" and merited ECI’s consideration. It permitted the Kerala government to file a representation outlining the reasons for the extension, and directed the ECI to take a decision by the day after tomorrow, assessing the request "objectively and sympathetically."

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The matter relates to petitions filed by the State of Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, CPM Secretary Govindan Master, the CPI, and others, all seeking a postponement of the SIR exercise owing to the local elections.
(With LiveLaw Inputs)

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