RJD MP Challenges Bihar Electoral Roll Revision in Supreme Court Over Aadhaar Card Issue

RJD MP Manoj Jha has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Election Commission of India's decision to hold a 'Special Intensive Revision' of electoral rolls in Bihar. He argues that the process is hasty and ill-timed, leading to the disenfranchisement of many voters, particularly from Muslim, Dalit, and poor migrant communities. Jha criticizes the burden placed on individuals to prove citizenship, especially in a state with a large number of migrant workers and illiterate persons.

The ECI's requirement of specific documents for citizenship verification, excluding widely held documents like Aadhaar card, has been questioned by Jha. He highlights the challenges faced by the population in obtaining the specified documents and criticizes the exclusion of commonly held proofs of identity.

Jha also points out the discrepancies in the documents required by the ECI, emphasizing the limited access to certain proofs of citizenship for a significant portion of Bihar's population. He questions the rationale behind excluding documents that were accepted for previous elections and raises concerns about the short deadlines set for the verification process.

The MP argues that the current process violates the principles established by the Supreme Court and is discriminatory and arbitrary. He asserts that the order issued by the ECI is a tool of disenfranchisement and challenges its legality based on constitutional grounds.

Other petitions challenging the ECI's decision have been filed by various organizations and individuals, highlighting the widespread concern over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.

According to the source: Live Law.