Hyderabad, Oct. 5 -- The Bombay High Court asked the Election Commission to cite the provision of law that empowers it to remove a voter's name from the electoral roll without giving them a hearing. The court reminded the Commission that its fundamental mandate is to enable people to cast their votes.

There's a deeper issue behind this question. The debate over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) typically revolves around the number of names struck out. But the bigger question than statistics is whose decision it was, and who is responsible if it turns out to be wrong. The real problem with SIR isn't a single person or position but a system where decisions are made, but no one is responsible for them.

Fissures within the Commission

The Co...