With the Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, political parties are locked in a heated debate over the new voter list. The opposition has voiced strong objections, leveling accusations against the government and the Election Commission. The Election Commission has responded by launching a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, with BLOs visiting homes to distribute enumeration forms. The opposition has raised several objections to this exercise.
The Election Commission has explained that voters must fill out the enumeration form and submit it along with supporting documents. This process aims to identify and remove fake voters while also adding new voters to the list. The Election Commission has assured that every eligible voter will be included.
Voters are required to provide details such as name, photograph, address, EPIC number, Aadhaar number, date of birth, mobile number, and parental details. This information can also be submitted online. This process was last carried out in Bihar in 2003. Individuals born before July 1, 1987, must provide a valid document to verify their birth date or place.
The INDIA alliance has expressed its displeasure with the Election Commission’s decision. The revision of the voter list is scheduled to continue until July 29. Amidst the INDIA alliance’s concerns, the exercise has begun. The opposition has requested a stay on the decision. The INDIA alliance is likely to approach the Election Commission soon. The voter list in Bihar has become a major point of contention before the elections.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has expressed concerns that the initiative, which demands documents that many voters may not have, could potentially disenfranchise a significant number of individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities like Dalits, Muslims, and the backward classes.
Pawan Khera, Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department, has accused the Election Commission of a deliberate conspiracy to undermine the rights, identity, and citizenship of the voters of Bihar.