Bihar Voter List Controversy: 56 Lakh Names Deleted Before Elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is at the centre of a major political storm in Bihar following the deletion of over 56 lakh names from the states voter rolls during its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive. The ECI defends the action as a necessary cleanup to eliminate duplicate entries and remove the names of deceased or migrated voters, stating that a thorough survey preceded the deletions. They highlight the need to maintain accurate and updated electoral rolls for fair and credible elections.
However, the scale of the deletions—affecting a substantial portion of the electorate—has ignited a fierce political debate. Opposition parties vehemently criticise the exercise, alleging that it is deliberately targeted, rushed, and reminiscent of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process. They claim the stringent verification process, which goes beyond the acceptance of Aadhaar cards as sufficient proof of identity and requires in-person verification, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including the poor and minority communities. The timing, months before the Bihar state elections, further fuels these accusations.
Critics contend that this is the first instance where voters are being compelled to prove their citizenship, a step they believe is unnecessary and infringes on voting rights. The opposition argues that the ECIs actions serve a political agenda, favouring the ruling party.
The controversy has extended beyond Bihar, echoing in national political discourse. Prominent opposition leaders, such as Rahul Gandhi, have publicly challenged the ECIs actions, accusing them of fraud and questioning the fairness and transparency of the process. They raise concerns about voters who may be eligible but were absent during the verification process, leading to wrongful exclusion. Furthermore, the question of Aadhaars validity as sufficient proof of identity remains a point of contention.
The ECI, while acknowledging the scale of the deletions, insists it is constitutionally bound to maintain accurate voter lists and that the digital process employed is faster and more efficient than previous methods. They assert that the goal is to improve the integrity of the electoral process.