Supreme Court clarifies EC inquiry powers on voter citizenship

Key facts

• The Supreme Court stated: 'EC does not claim that it has the power to determine citizenship of a person or declare him as a foreigner. But, if it has doubts about the citizenship of a person registered as a voter or seeking inclusion of name as a voter, it can surely inquire into it.'
• The Court emphasized: 'The first and foremost pre-condition for inclusion as a voter is that he/she must be a citizen of India.'
• The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi added: 'Given the constitutional and statutory powers conferred on EC, can it not undertake an inquisitorial exercise to find out who are doubtful citizens? That is included in the constitutional task of superintendence of elections.'