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The upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar have been preceded by a significant controversy surrounding the Election Commission's (EC) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision of the state's voter list. This revision, launched on June 24, is ostensibly aimed at ensuring greater transparency and removing ineligible voters from the electoral rolls. However, the move has been met with strong opposition from Congress and other opposition parties, who claim that it will result in the disenfranchisement of genuine voters. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has countered these allegations, accusing the Congress of attempting to protect fraudulent voters and undermine the integrity of the electoral process. The situation highlights the deeply partisan nature of electoral politics in India and the crucial role that voter lists play in determining the outcome of elections.
The Election Commission has outlined several reasons for undertaking this comprehensive revision. Rapid urbanization, frequent migration patterns, the increasing number of young citizens becoming eligible to vote, the failure to report deaths, and the potential inclusion of illegal foreign immigrants are all cited as factors necessitating a thorough review of the voter list. The last such revision in Bihar occurred in 2003, indicating a considerable gap in updating the electoral rolls. The EC plans to conduct a house-to-house survey through Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who will verify voter information by reviewing supporting documents. The Commission has emphasized its commitment to strictly adhering to voter eligibility criteria and grounds for disqualification, and it has instructed poll officials to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, the sick, persons with disabilities, the poor, and other marginalized communities, are not harassed and are provided with assistance during the verification process. Political parties have also been invited to participate in the process to help resolve discrepancies during the preparation of the revised voter roll.
The revision process involves a step-by-step approach. Electoral Registration Officers will distribute enumeration forms to BLOs, who will then visit households to distribute the forms to electors and guide them in filling them out. These forms and required documents can also be uploaded online for convenience. Once the forms are submitted and verified, a draft electoral roll will be published on the ECI/CEO website and shared with political parties for review. Voters or political parties can then raise objections to the draft list, and after a decision on these objections, a final voter list will be published. This iterative process is designed to ensure accuracy and fairness, but its effectiveness remains a point of contention among different political stakeholders. The EC aims to leverage technology to streamline the process and enhance accessibility, although the digital divide in Bihar could potentially create barriers for some segments of the population.
One of the key challenges identified by the Election Commission is the large-scale migration of Bihar residents to other states in search of employment. Many of these migrants retain their voting rights in their home constituencies but do not have voter cards in their current places of work. Under the Representation of the People Act, mere ownership or possession of a dwelling house in a constituency does not automatically qualify a person as an ordinary resident. Consequently, these migrants may be required to provide additional proof of their voting rights in Bihar if they wish to remain on the voter list. Alternatively, they may need to register in the voter list at their place of work. The law prohibits any person from being registered in the electoral roll for more than one constituency, underscoring the importance of accurately reflecting residency and preventing voter fraud. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has emphasized that eligible citizens should register as voters only in constituencies where they are ordinary residents, not merely where they own property. He clarified that if a person ordinarily resides in Delhi but owns a house in Patna, their vote should be registered in Delhi, not Patna. This directive aims to prevent dual registration and maintain the integrity of the voter rolls. Officials have also warned that possessing multiple voter cards from different locations is a criminal offense.
To facilitate the revision process, the Election Commission has stated that approximately 4.96 crore voters – representing 60% of the total Bihar electorate – whose names appear in the 2003 special intensive revision do not need to submit any supporting documents. The remaining voters are required to provide one of 11 listed documents to establish their place or date of birth. If a voter's name is not on the 2003 list but their parents' names are, they only need to submit documents proving their place/date of birth. This provision is intended to simplify the verification process for a significant portion of the electorate, reducing the administrative burden and potential for errors. However, concerns have been raised about the availability and accessibility of these documents, particularly for marginalized communities and those lacking formal identification.
The opposition parties, particularly the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have voiced strong objections to the voter list revision. The Congress party has alleged that the revision carries a significant risk of 'willful exclusion' of voters using state machinery. They argue that the Election Commission intends to discard the current electoral rolls entirely and create a fresh roll for Bihar, which they view as a tacit admission of flaws in the existing system. Congress leaders have drawn parallels with similar concerns raised by Rahul Gandhi regarding electoral rolls in Maharashtra, suggesting a wider problem with the integrity of voter lists across the country. The Congress has criticized the revision as a 'devious and dubious idea' that will grant excessive control to government officials, who will allegedly dictate who has the correct documents and who gets to vote. This, they claim, creates a significant risk of disenfranchisement based on political bias.
Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, has described the revision as a 'conspiracy' timed months before the Bihar election. He pointed out that the last routine revision of the voter list was conducted in 2003 and took approximately two years to complete. He questioned the feasibility of creating a new voter list for 8 crore people in just 25 days, especially considering that 73% of the state is currently affected by floods. Yadav's concerns highlight the logistical challenges and potential for inaccuracies in conducting a comprehensive revision within a limited timeframe, particularly in the context of natural disasters. A delegation of INDIA bloc leaders from 11 parties met with top Election Commission officials to express their opposition to the Special Intensive Revision, labeling it the 'worst attack on the basic structure of the Constitution.' This strong condemnation reflects the deep-seated concerns among opposition parties about the potential for manipulation and disenfranchisement.
In response to these criticisms, the ruling BJP has defended the voter list revision as a necessary measure to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress for questioning the electoral process in Bihar while accepting the results of elections in Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress won. This argument suggests that the Congress's objections are motivated by political opportunism rather than genuine concerns about electoral fairness. BJP's Bihar unit chief, Dilip Jaiswal, emphasized the Election Commission's responsibility to conduct elections with complete transparency, stating that any opposition to the revision is misguided. He argued that the revision will prevent fake voting by identifying deceased voters and verifying the residency of voters. BJP leader and Bihar minister Nitin Nabin has questioned the Congress's motives for opposing the exercise, suggesting that they may be attempting to gain power through fraudulent votes. These statements underscore the partisan divide over the issue and the competing narratives surrounding the purpose and impact of the voter list revision. The debate reflects broader tensions about electoral integrity and the role of political parties in safeguarding the democratic process.
The Special Intensive Revision of Bihar's voter list is a complex and contentious issue with significant implications for the upcoming Assembly elections. While the Election Commission aims to improve transparency and accuracy, opposition parties fear widespread disenfranchisement. The process highlights the delicate balance between ensuring electoral integrity and protecting the voting rights of all citizens. The success of the revision will depend on the Election Commission's ability to conduct the process fairly, transparently, and efficiently, while addressing the concerns raised by all stakeholders. The outcome of this process will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Bihar and influence the outcome of the upcoming elections. The vigilance of political parties, civil society organizations, and the media will be crucial in ensuring that the revision is conducted in a manner that upholds the principles of democracy and fairness.
Source: Why Poll Body Is Revising Bihar Voter List. Why Opposition Is Against It