India, Oct. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday said a clear set of guidelines and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is needed for the nationwide implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The court, however, expressed concern over the absence of senior lawyers from key opposition parties, including the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), during the crucial hearing.

The observation came as the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which has challenged the Election Commission's handling of the SIR process in Bihar, informed the court that senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who were expected to represent opposition parties, were missing from the day's proceedings.

"When...