The voter list revision (SIR) in Bihar has become a focal point of political debate, with the opposition vehemently protesting and raising concerns in Parliament. The Election Commission has responded by directly questioning the opposition’s stance on the matter, raising pertinent issues surrounding the revision process.
Following the release of the final data for the first phase of SIR in Bihar, the state now has 72.4 million voters listed. Notably, 6.5 million names have been removed, including deceased individuals, those who have relocated, and foreign voters. The Election Commission has, in turn, posed three key questions to the opposition regarding the ongoing controversy.
**The Election Commission’s Questions to the Opposition:**
1. Should the names of deceased persons be removed from the voter lists?
2. Should any voter be allowed to have their name on the voter list in multiple places?
3. Should the names of foreign nationals be removed from the voter lists?
The voter list revision is taking place in the lead-up to the Bihar assembly elections. The opposition has strongly criticized the process, even terming it a form of disenfranchisement. Chief Election Commissioner Gynesh Kumar, on July 24, addressed the opposition, questioning if the Election Commission should allow the ‘murder of democracy’.
The Chief Election Commissioner also discussed the removal of deceased voters from the Bihar voter list, raising the question of whether the commission should permit deceased voters, those who have left the state, and fraudulent voters to cast their ballots. He questioned the opposition on whether removing deceased voters from the voter list was an incorrect action and asked whether the commission should allow foreign voters to vote.
He also emphasized the importance of a transparent voter list for holding fair elections and establishing a strong democracy. He urged the opposition to consider these questions with a non-partisan approach.
**Opposition’s Stand on SIR:**
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has been vocal in his opposition to the SIR. He has raised the issue in the Bihar assembly, advocating that no individual in Bihar should have their name removed from the voter list. The voter list revision issue has gained national attention, with the opposition continuing to protest during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.