No SIR debate as EC’s actions, decisions can’t be discussed in Parliament: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh

New Delhi: Clear indications emerged in Parliament that the government will not accede to the demand for a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Tuesday referring to Balram Jakhar’s ruling in December 1988 against discussing the working or decisions taken by Election Commission.

Harivansh’s remarks came as he rejected notices to suspend business and immediately discuss the SIR in Bihar and other states. Thirty-four Opposition MPs had submitted notices, most of them on SIR, but none of them were admitted as Harivansh cited procedural infirmities, including not being in proper format and the matter being subjudice as well as past precedence.

He said not a single notice under Rule 267 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) was admitted between 200 and 2004 while four were admitted between 2004 and 2009. Only one out of 491 notices were admitted during 2009-14 while six out of 3,152 notices were admitted between 2014 and till Budget Session 2025.

Harivansh then referred to Jakhar’s ruling on 14 December, 1988 in which he refused to admit any discussion on the actions and decisions of the EC.

He quoted Jakhar as saying in Lok Sabha, “you know that I cannot comment upon the actions and decisions of the EC, which is an autonomous body. Never before I have done it nor I will do it now. Until and unless you change the Constitution and bring the EC under your purview, we cannot comment on EC actions. I am only concerned that the EC is an autonomous body and its decision cannot be discussed here.”

In meetings with Lok Sabha floor leaders earlier, Speaker Om Birla had also referred to Jakhar’s ruling but this is the first time that it is being mentioned in one of the Houses, signalling the government’s unwillingness to take up the issue for discussion. Last week, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also referred to Jahkar while urging the Opposition not to disrupt Parliament.

Except for a debate on Operation Sindoor, both Houses have mostly seen disruption owing to the Opposition protest demanding a discussion on SIR. The Opposition had warned that the Session may witness a washout if their demand for a debate on SIR is not accepted. On Monday, they told Birla that they would not insist that the nomenclature on the debate should centre around SIR but wanted a discussion around electoral reforms.

In Rajya Sabha, Harivansh referred to the disruption and said only 13 starred questions could be taken up for oral reply in place of 150 listed and five Zero Hour submissions against 150 allowed. Also, he said, only 27 out of 150 Special Mentions could be tabled since Monsoon Session started on July 21.