Electoral Roll Controversy: Tejashwi Yadav’s Claims Challenged by ECI and JDU

The upcoming 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar are marked by controversy, with concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Allegations of irregularities, such as the inclusion of deceased individuals and omission of living voters, have surfaced. A key figure in the controversy is Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD’s CM candidate and son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, who claims his name is missing from the Election Commission’s draft voter list, despite having filled out the required enumeration form. This has prompted questions about his ability to contest in the elections. The Janata Dal (United) criticized Yadav, accusing him of misleading the public concerning the voter list. At a press conference, Yadav highlighted that his name was not in the electoral roll, questioning how he would participate in the upcoming elections. The Patna district administration clarified that Yadav’s name is registered, but his polling station and serial number have been changed. Yadav responded by questioning how many people’s information has been changed and calling the matter a conspiracy. JDU’s chief spokesperson, Neeraj Kumar, labeled Tejashwi a “political fraud.” The Election Commission refuted Yadav’s claims, stating his name is included in the draft electoral roll. The SIR, designed to verify voter lists, allows for objections to be filed between August 1st and September 1st, 2025. The exercise aims for comprehensive and transparent voter inclusion, with the last intensive revision in 2003. Voters can access their details via the ECI website.