The voter list revision (SIR) in Bihar has ignited a political firestorm, with the opposition actively protesting and raising concerns in Parliament. Amidst the ongoing controversy, the Election Commission has directly engaged with the opposition, posing several critical questions regarding the revision process.
Following the recent release of the final data for the first phase of SIR in Bihar, the total number of registered voters in the state stands at 72.4 million. The exercise led to the removal of 6.5 million names, including those of deceased individuals, displaced persons, and foreign nationals. In response to the opposition’s ongoing protests, the Election Commission has raised three specific questions.
**Election Commission’s Questions to the Opposition:**
1. Should the names of deceased individuals be removed from voter lists?
2. Should any voter be permitted to be registered in multiple places?
3. Should the names of foreign nationals be removed from the voter lists?
The voter list revision is occurring in the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections. The opposition has strongly criticized the revision, with some calling it a form of voter suppression. On July 24, Chief Election Commissioner Gynesh Kumar questioned the opposition’s position, asking if the Election Commission should allow the ‘murder of democracy’.
The Chief Election Commissioner specifically addressed the removal of deceased voters from the Bihar voter list. He asked whether the commission should allow deceased voters, individuals who have moved out of the state, and fraudulent voters to cast their ballots. He further asked the opposition if removing the names of deceased voters from the voter list was an improper action and whether foreign voters should be permitted to vote.
Furthermore, he highlighted that a transparently prepared voter list is vital for ensuring fair elections and a robust democratic process. He urged the opposition to carefully consider these questions, setting aside partisan politics.
**Opposition’s Response to SIR:**
Tejashwi Yadav, a leader of the RJD, has been a prominent critic of the SIR process, raising the issue in the Bihar assembly. He has emphasized that no individual in Bihar should have their name removed from the voter list. The issue of voter list revision has now gained nationwide attention, with the opposition persisting in its protests during the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.