New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- The Supreme Court today continued hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar just months before the assembly elections.

Appearing for one of the petitioners, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there was "no objection" to the SIR itself but questioned its timing. "Why months before the election? Have it later, take a whole year," he submitted, pointing to a 2004 ECI notification that exempted Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh from electoral roll revision when assembly polls were near. He asked why the Commission was not following its own precedent. The Bench also heard brief submiss...