Political tensions are escalating in Bihar as the state gears up for assembly elections. The opposition has launched a strong critique of the new voter list, targeting the government and the Election Commission. In response, the Election Commission has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. This involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducting house-to-house visits to distribute enumeration forms, a move that has been met with opposition from various quarters.
The Election Commission has clarified the process, emphasizing that voters must complete the enumeration form and submit it with the required documentation. The goal is to identify and remove fraudulent voters while also ensuring the inclusion of new voters. The Election Commission has made it clear that no eligible voter will be overlooked.
Voters who receive the forms from BLOs must provide details including their name, photograph, address, EPIC number, Aadhaar number, date of birth, mobile number, and information about their parents. This information can also be filled and submitted online. The last such exercise in Bihar was conducted in 2003. Individuals born before July 1, 1987, will need to provide a valid document to verify their date or place of birth.
The INDIA alliance has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Election Commission’s decision. The voter list revision is scheduled to continue until July 29, and the process has commenced amid the INDIA alliance’s concerns. The opposition is calling for an immediate halt to the Election Commission’s decision. The INDIA alliance is likely to approach the Election Commission. The voter list has become a focal point of political debate in Bihar.
Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister, has raised concerns that the exercise, which demands specific documents that many voters might not possess, could potentially disenfranchise a significant number of individuals, particularly those from marginalized groups such as Dalits, Muslims, and the backward classes.
Pawan Khera, Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department, has alleged that this is a calculated conspiracy, an act of theft, aimed not only at Bihar’s voters but also at their rights, identity, and citizenship. He further stated that this is a conspiracy to eliminate the very existence of the people of Bihar.