In the lead-up to the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls, a contentious debate has erupted surrounding the Election Commission’s initiation of a Special Intensive Revision of the state’s voter list. This review, which aims to ensure electoral integrity by eliminating ineligible voters, has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party and other opposition factions, who argue that it risks disenfranchising genuine voters. Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vehemently defended the initiative, accusing the opposition of trying to protect fraudulent voters.
What’s Behind the Voter List Revision?
Launched on June 24, the Special Intensive Revision seeks to update the voter list by adding eligible citizens and removing those who do not qualify. The last time a comprehensive revision was carried out in Bihar was in 2003. The Election Commission cites several pressing reasons for this current revision, including the rapid urbanization of the state, high levels of migration, an influx of young voters reaching voting age, unreported deaths, and the presence of foreign illegal immigrants on the voter rolls.
In implementing this revision, the Election Commission stated that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) would conduct house-to-house surveys to verify the identities of voters using documentary evidence. Commitments have been made to ensure that vulnerable populations—including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged groups—are neither harassed nor obstructed during the process. The Commission is also soliciting cooperation from political parties to address any discrepancies early in the voter roll preparation.
Step-by-Step Process of Voter Verification
According to the Election Commission’s outlined process, the Electoral Registration Officers will distribute Enumeration Forms through BLOs, who will assist voters in completing them during home visits. Voters will also have the option to submit their information online. A draft electoral roll will subsequently be made available on the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) websites, where political parties and individual voters can challenge and raise objections to the initial draft. Following the resolution of these concerns, a final list will be published.
Migration plays a significant role in this revision, as many Bihar residents migrate to other states for employment and return home only during festivals. This group is particularly vulnerable during the revision, as they may not hold voter cards at their current place of residence. The Representation of the People Act stipulates that an individual cannot be registered in more than one constituency, necessitating that many migrants prove their voting rights in Bihar if they wish to remain on its voter rolls.
Chief Election Commissioner’s Standpoint
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has emphasized the importance of registering voters only in their respective constituencies, stating, “As per the Representation of the People Act, you are entitled to vote only in the assembly constituency where you are an ordinary resident.” He noted that many voters possess cards from both their current locations and Bihar, which is a criminal offense.
For voters whose names are included in the 2003 electoral roll, they will not need to submit supporting documents for verification. However, others will be required to provide one of eleven accepted documents to confirm their age and residency. If a voter’s name is absent from the list but their parents are listed, they will only need to present proof of their age and residence.
Opposition’s Concerns
The main opposition party, Congress, has voiced strong objections against the voter list revision, claiming it could lead to a “willful exclusion” of legitimate voters through misuse of state machinery. A cadre of Congress representatives articulated that the Election Commission is attempting to discard the current voter rolls entirely, which they describe as a troubling admission of prior electoral fails.
According to Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, this rushed initiative—launched only months before the elections—seems to be a premeditated conspiracy. He highlighted that the previous revision lasted nearly two years due to the complexity involved. With elections approaching in November and the voter roll needing updates for an estimated population of 8 crore people in just 25 days, he described the endeavor as impractical, especially considering the state is grappling with severe flooding impacting 73 percent of its regions.
A delegation from the INDIA alliance, which consists of 11 parties, recently approached Election Commission officials to express their objections to the Special Intensive Revision, labeling it “the worst attack on the basic structure of the Constitution.”
Responses from the Ruling Party
On the other hand, the ruling BJP has defended the revision as a necessary move for maintaining electoral integrity. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla critiqued the Congress’s position, noting that the same Election Commission ran successful elections in states like Karnataka and Telangana without raising similar concerns. He emphasized that the revision exercise aims to eliminate opportunities for fraudulent voting by identifying deceased voters and ensuring only qualified individuals are permitted to vote.
BJP’s Bihar unit leader Dilip Jaiswal affirmed that it is the Election Commission’s duty to ensure elections are conducted transparently. He argued that opposition to this review raises questions about the integrity of the opposition parties. Another BJP leader, Nitin Nabin, challenged Congress’s motives by asking whether the party supports fraudulent voting practices.
Implications for Bihar’s Democratic Process
As Bihar gears up for the Assembly elections, the controversy surrounding the voter list revision reflects deeper political rifts and power dynamics within the state. With accusations flying from both sides, the essential goal of ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process appears at risk of being overshadowed by partisan disagreements.
The conflict underscores the vital importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls, which serve as the backbone of democracy. If executed properly, this revision could not only clarify the identity of voters but also enhance the trust in the electoral process.
As per the report by NDTV, the unfolding developments in Bihar may set a precedent for other states dealing with similar electoral challenges. With the electorate’s faith in democratic processes at stake, all eyes are now on how this situation will evolve leading up to the polls.
DISCLAIMER
We have taken every measure to ensure that the information in this article and on our social media platforms is accurate, verified, and obtained from reliable sources. For feedback or complaints, please contact us at info@hamslive.com.