“Victory of Maa-Mati-Manush…”: Mamata Banerjee Lauds Supreme Court SIR Order Allowing Excluded Voters to Vote If Appeals Cleared Before Deadline

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lauded the Supreme Court’s directive to issue supplementary electoral rolls to include voters whose appeals against deletion are allowed within specified timelines, enabling them to vote in the ongoing phases of polling in the upcoming assembly elections. It said those whose appeals are decided by April 21 will be eligible to vote in the first phase on April 23, while those cleared by April 27 can vote in the second phase on April 29. Banerjee hailed the apex court’s verdict, calling it a “victory of Maa-Mati-Manush”. 

“I’m so happy and proud of judiciary. It was my case, so none happier than me,” said Mamata Banerjee, while campaigning in Cooch Behar. The Chief Minister instructed party workers to assist, and ensure that the supplementary electoral rolls are made available to the voters ahead of the polling days. 

Mamata Banerjee urged voters whose names were removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to approach appellate tribunals, assuring them that their voting rights could be restored if their appeals are allowed.

In its order, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi invoked its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure effective implementation of appellate decisions. “We, therefore, invoke our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India and direct the ECI that, wherever the Appellate Tribunals are able to decide the appeals by 21.04.2026 or 27.04.2026, as the case may be, such appellate orders shall be given effect to by issuing a supplementary revised electoral roll, and all necessary consequences with respect to the right to vote shall follow,” the Bench said.

The Apex Court clarified that only those whose appeals are allowed would be entitled to vote, and that merely filing an appeal would not grant voting rights. “However, it goes without saying that the mere pendency of appeals preferred by excluded persons before the Appellate Tribunals shall not entitle them to exercise their right to vote,” the Court observed.

The Court subsequently issued a series of directions, including the constitution of tribunals and the deployment of judicial officers to adjudicate disputes relating to voter eligibility.