The Supreme Court of India has deferred its decision on whether voters cleared by tribunals after being excluded from the draft lists can participate in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. On Friday, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stated that a final call on this operational challenge would be taken during the next hearing on April 13.

The petitioners’ counsel raised concerns that while the Election Commission “froze” the voter lists on April 9, many valid applications—including those from passport holders—are still pending adjudication. Justice Bagchi noted that while elections have cut-off dates, the right to be on the electoral roll is a “greater and more permanent constitutional right.”

In contrast, the Election Commission’s counsel, DS Naidu, argued that once the list is finalized, further inclusions are practically impossible for the current cycle. While Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the applicants aren’t being “permanently deprived” of their rights, the court refrained from giving any immediate guarantee for this specific election. All eyes are now on the April 13 hearing, which will determine if thousands of residents can exercise their franchise this year.