Bihar Voter List Storm: ECI Turns To Public For Answers

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has invited public opinion on five key questions related to the revision of electoral rolls. This comes as tensions escalate in Bihar over its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign.

The ECI has yet to release an official notice. However, it has reportedly circulated a set of five questions aimed at gathering views on the voter verification process. The questions include:

• Should voter rolls be revised and scrutinised extensively?
• Shouldn’t the names of the dead be removed from the electoral rolls?
• Should the names of electors be removed if they are registered elsewhere?
• Should the authorities exclude voters settled in other states from the list?
• Should foreigners and ‘outside elements’ be denied voting rights?

Sources indicate that the poll panel aims to conduct this opinion-gathering informally, particularly in Bihar. The poll panel aims to counter growing criticism of the SIR process with this move.

Political Battle Over SIR Intensifies

Thousands of officials conducted the SIR campaign between June 25 and July 25. It involved thousands of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) working alongside Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from political parties to verify voter information. Controversy erupted after the release of the draft rolls on 1 August.

The Congress-led Opposition accused the ECI of colluding with the BJP. They alleged that this collaboration aimed to manipulate the electoral rolls and reduce their voter base.

Also, the Opposition alleged that officials added dead voters and excluded genuine ones, which sparked public outcry and prompted legal action. They took the matter to the Supreme Court, which ordered the poll panel to ensure the inclusion of all eligible voters.

The ECI has firmly denied the accusations and responded with a rare press conference. It condemned what it described as ‘baseless and unfounded’ claims made by the Opposition.

Political hostilities show no sign of easing in Bihar. In this context, the ECI’s decision to seek public input may be an attempt to reclaim public trust and challenge the narrative of voter fraud ahead of the state elections.

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