In a troubling development for Bihar's upcoming elections, the Election Commission's newly updated draft electoral rolls have revealed significant discrepancies, fueling allegations of negligence. The commission's recent revisions, aimed at streamline voting processes, have been met with accusations of including incorrect photographs and listing deceased individuals among the 72.4 million registered voters. This number reflects a loss of 6.5 million voters compared to previous records.
Following a month-long verification process known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission verified details for approximately 78.9 million voters from June to July. The commission states that the updated lists account for 2.2 million deceased individuals, 700,000 duplicate entires, and 3.6 million voters who have allegedly moved out of the state. Yet, the controversy arose when opposition parties and electoral charities accused the commission of rushing the process and failing to adequately protect the voter rights of historically marginalized groups, particularly Muslims.
Allegations have surfaced that many voters, especially from border districts with significant Muslim populations, have been unfairly excluded to favor the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While both the BJP and the Election Commission vehemently deny these claims, questions about transparency remain, as the commission has not disclosed the criteria used to identify voters removed from the list.
Public sentiment reflects a growing concern as voters express deep anxiety over their electoral rights. In rural areas like Danara and Kharika, residents have reported that officials failed to visit, leaving many unaware of the new voting procedures and the implications of the SIR process. Complaints about inaccuracies, including the presence of dead individuals on the voting list and erroneous identity photos, have been widespread.
Political representatives from opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have highlighted the complications and confusion stemming from the new electoral rolls. They argue that the swift execution of the SIR has placed undue pressure on voters to prove their eligibility, particularly affecting low-income migrant communities who may not possess the necessary documentation.
In response, civil rights advocates and political analysts are urging for a nationwide review of the voter registration process, particularly emphasizing the need for inclusive practices that uphold the fundamental right to vote for all citizens, especially marginalized groups.
With the Supreme Court now involved in reviewing the draft rolls, pressure mounts on the commission to address these allegations before the pivotal elections scheduled for November. The political landscape in Bihar remains tense as debates rally around the integrity of the electoral process and the safeguarding of democratic rights.
