Opposition Leaders Criticize Election Commission's Voter Roll Revision Plan in Bihar

Opposition parties raised concerns with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding its decision to conduct a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar before the upcoming assembly elections. They argued that this move could disproportionately impact marginalized communities and lead to the removal of legitimate voters.

Leaders from 11 INDIA bloc parties, including Congress, RJD, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML)-Liberation, NCP-SP, and the Samajwadi Party, met with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to oppose the SIR. They criticized the methodology and timeline of the revision, stating that it could result in the deletion of millions of genuine voters, especially those from vulnerable groups.

The opposition parties also questioned the ECI's requirement for voters to submit birth certificates for themselves and their parents based on their year of birth. They expressed concerns about the burden this would place on the 8.1 crore eligible voters in Bihar in 2025.

The INDIA bloc criticized the ECI's policy of exempting voters whose names appeared on the rolls in 2003, calling it unclear and unjustified. They warned that the SIR could lead to targeted disenfranchisement and give excessive power to government officials in determining voter eligibility.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi estimated that over 2 crore voters, including SCs, STs, migrants, and the impoverished, could lose their voting rights due to the SIR. He raised concerns about the lack of legal recourse for voters to challenge deletions once elections are announced.

Singhvi questioned the necessity of the SIR, pointing out that multiple elections had been held since the last revision in 2003. He criticized the timing of the exercise, which was conducted close to general and assembly elections.

According to the source: Hindustan Times.