Bihar voter list, amid INDIA bloc uproar
The opposition INDIA bloc has strongly criticized the large-scale voter list revision underway in Bihar, terming it an act of “voter suppression.” On Wednesday, a delegation representing 11 parties from the alliance met with the Election Commission to raise their concerns.
However, the meeting failed to reassure the opposition. Leaders said they left with even greater apprehensions.
CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya stated, “Our concerns have only grown after meeting the Election Commission. None of our questions were answered satisfactorily.”
The Congress echoed similar sentiments, warning that what they call “voter suppression” in Bihar poses a grave threat to the democratic process.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said, “Today, INDIA alliance representatives met the Election Commission over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar. The Commission was compelled to hold the meeting after initially refusing. Even then, only two representatives per party were allowed entry. I was kept waiting for nearly two hours.”
He further added, “The Election Commission’s conduct over the past six months has undermined the foundations of our democratic system. As a constitutional body, it cannot repeatedly ignore the opposition’s requests for a hearing. It must uphold constitutional values and provisions.”
Drawing a sharp comparison, Ramesh wrote, “Just as the Prime Minister’s demonetization move in November 2016 devastated the economy, the Election Commission’s ‘vote-bandi’—visible through the SIR in Bihar and other states—will endanger the very core of our democracy.”
Representatives of 11 parties had reached Election Commission for meeting
The INDIA bloc delegation reached the Election Commission’s Delhi office Nirvachan Sadan on Wednesday. This delegation included leaders from Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Samajwadi Party. The delegation said that the Election Commission informed them that only two representatives from each party would be allowed to go inside.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, ‘For the first time, we were told rules for entering the Election Commission. For the first time, it was said that only party chiefs can go inside. Such restrictions prevent necessary dialogue between political parties and the Election Commission. Today only two people from each party were allowed, due to which leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Akhilesh Singh had to remain outside.’
Election Commission said – We resolved concerns of all parties
After the meeting, the Election Commission issued a statement saying that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being done according to constitutional and legal provisions, and we have addressed all concerns raised by political party leaders.
The Election Commission said that the SIR process is being carried out in accordance with Article 326 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1950, and the directions issued on 24.06.2025. As far as allowing only two representatives from each party is concerned, this was done to hear different perspectives and maintain balance
What controversy started with the Election Commission’s process…
Elections are scheduled in Bihar this October-November. Before this, the Election Commission is running a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program in Bihar. Under this, Booth Level Officers (BLO) will visit every house to verify voters. Only those who submit the prescribed form to the BLO will be included in the draft voter list. Those whose verification is not completed by July 25 may have their names removed from the voter list.
Tejashwi raised questions
Former Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had questioned the Election Commission – ‘Why are you making voter lists just before the election? Will voter lists for all people in Bihar be made in such few days?’
‘There are total 8 crore voters in Bihar. According to the government, about 3 crore people have migrated from the state. Now tell us how will their voter cards be made? These people are snatching away voting rights. If they really wanted to make reforms, why didn’t they do it immediately after the Lok Sabha elections?’
