New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday declined to extend the deadline for submission of enumeration forms in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Kerala. After declaring its stance, the bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi deferred the matter till December 18, the present deadline. The Court said it will decide on December 18 whether to pass an order extending the deadline.

The apex court announced this decision while hearing a batch of petitions filed by the Kerala government and several political parties, including the CPM, CPI, and IUML, seeking an extension of the deadline in view of the ongoing local body elections.

Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the Election Commission of India, submitted that the deadline had first been extended from December 4 to December 11. Following the Court’s last order, it was again extended until December 18.

Senior Advocate PV Surendranath, assisted by Advocate CK Sasi, appearing for the State of Kerala, requested a further extension of at least two weeks, saying that over 20 lakh persons were yet to be traced. He argued that an extension would enable students and employees outside the State to complete the formalities during the vacation period. Dwivedi responded that 97.42% of enumeration forms had been digitised as of December 7, following submission by voters. He added that if the need arises, the ECI may extend the date further, and urged that no orders be passed based on speculation.

At the last hearing, the Court had recommended to the Election Commission of India that it further extend the deadline for the submission of enumeration forms in the SIR process in view of the ongoing local body election process.

Along with the State’s petition, the bench also issued notices on petitions filed by IUML General Secretary PK Kunhalikutty, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, and CPM Secretary MV Govindan. Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar appeared for the CPM Secretary, while Advocate Haris Beeran represented the IUML.

The Kerala government’s petition has not challenged the SIR notification itself and only seeks a postponement of the process. The State had initially approached the Kerala High Court seeking to defer the SIR process until the local body elections. However, the High Court declined to intervene, suggesting that the State approach the Supreme Court, which is already seized of SIR-related matters.

General elections to the Local Self Government Institutions in the State are scheduled to be held in two phases on December 9 and 11, 2025, with counting on December 13. According to the revised SIR schedule, enumeration by BLOs must be completed by December 18, 2025, and the draft roll is to be published on December 23. The State argues that conducting the SIR in parallel with the local body elections is causing significant administrative difficulties.

Notably, the Supreme Court is also hearing petitions concerning the SIR in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. While the Bihar SIR matter has been heard on several occasions and elections in the State concluded recently, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are yet to undergo SIR, and the Court has sought the ECI’s response on pleas challenging the process in those States.

(With inputs from Live Law)