Controversy Erupts in Bihar Over Voter List: Tejashwi Yadav’s Claims and ECI Response

Bihar is facing a political storm as the 2025 Assembly elections approach, with a dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Allegations of irregularities have surfaced, including deceased individuals listed and the omission of valid voters. Tejashwi Yadav, the RJD CM candidate, announced his name was not on the draft voter list, despite submitting the enumeration form. He raised questions about his ability to contest the election. The Janata Dal (United) responded with accusations of public deception. Yadav, speaking in Patna, emphasized the absence of his name and lack of EPIC information. The Patna district administration, however, stated that Yadav’s name is registered, but his polling station and serial number have been changed. Yadav questioned the scope of these changes and their possible motives. The Election Commission immediately refuted Yadav’s claims, confirming his presence in the draft electoral roll. JDU’s Neeraj Kumar criticized Yadav, calling it ‘political fraud’. The SIR process in Bihar is a dedicated voter list verification initiative. Objections to discrepancies in the electoral roll can be submitted from August 1st to September 1st, 2025. ECI issued instructions for conducting Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar on 24th of last month. The objectives of the exercise were to ensure the inclusion of names of all eligible citizens in the electoral roll in a transparent manner. The last intensive revision for Bihar was conducted by the Commission in the year 2003. The voters can check their details at ECI website.