In a significant development amid political uproar, the Election Commission of India has announced a crucial decision regarding voter verification in Bihar’s ongoing electoral roll revision process. The move comes in response to widespread criticism from opposition parties, which have raised concerns over the inclusion of voters in the updated list. According to the Election Commission, voters in Bihar can still be verified for inclusion in the electoral rolls even if they fail to submit the required documents. In such cases, local investigations will be conducted by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), who will verify the information based on available evidence.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar: What’s At Stake?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is being conducted ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. While the revision exercise is meant to update the electoral rolls and ensure accurate voter lists, it has sparked controversy. Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, NCP, and other regional parties, have vocally opposed the process, alleging that it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters in the state.

The controversy primarily revolves around the Election Commission’s requirement that voters submit at least one of 11 specified documents for verification. These documents include birth certificates, passports, government-issued identity cards, pension payment orders for pensioners or government employees, permanent residence certificates, forest rights certificates, caste certificates, and other official records. The opposition parties argue that many citizens, especially in rural areas, may not possess these documents, leading to their exclusion from the voter list.

Opposition Allegations: A Conspiracy to Disenfranchise Voters

Leading the charge against the Election Commission’s decision, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has criticized the process, claiming that the majority of voters in Bihar do not have the required documents. According to Yadav, only two to three percent of the population in India has access to these official documents. “This is a clear conspiracy to exclude crores of people from the voter list,” Yadav stated. He further emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the right to vote to every citizen, and the election body’s actions are undermining this fundamental right.

Other opposition parties, including Congress, the Left Front, the Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, have echoed similar sentiments. They have described the revision process as politically motivated, alleging that it is designed to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state elections. The opposition’s concerns about transparency and fairness in the revision process have thus escalated into a major political debate.

Election Commission’s Response: Verification without Documents

In an effort to address these concerns, the Election Commission issued a poster on the enumeration forms, which provides new clarification regarding the verification process. The poster now outlines that even if voters fail to submit the required documents, they can still be verified based on local investigations. According to the Election Commission’s guidelines, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) can decide on the voter’s inclusion in the electoral rolls after conducting an on-the-ground investigation.

The poster emphasizes that if voters are unable to present the mandatory documents and photographs, they are still required to fill out the enumeration form and submit it to the Booth Level Officer (BLO). The key change in the process is the provision that allows the ERO to make verification decisions using available evidence or through a local inquiry if the documents are not submitted. This ensures that voters who might otherwise be excluded due to a lack of documentation will still have an opportunity to prove their eligibility.

How Local Investigation Will Work: A Closer Look

Sources within the Election Commission explained that the EROs would conduct field investigations in areas where voters have not provided the required documentation. The officers will visit the localities, interact with the voters who filled out the forms, and verify their eligibility based on various criteria.

The investigation will primarily focus on confirming the voter’s age (to ensure they are 18 or older), their residential status (to ensure they live in the area), and their general background. Local inquiries will be conducted, and the EROs will speak with residents of the area to corroborate the information provided by the voters. Additionally, if other documents are available, they will be considered as part of the verification process.

Progress of Voter Registration: Data and Deadlines

As of now, the Election Commission has reported that over 1.21 crore voters in Bihar have already submitted their enumeration forms. Of these, 23.9 lakh forms have been successfully uploaded into the system. Voters are encouraged to complete the form submission process by the July 25 deadline. The Election Commission has also highlighted that 4.96 crore voters, representing about 60 percent of the total electorate in Bihar, who were part of the 2003 Special Intensive Revision, do not need to submit any additional supporting documents.

The Election Commission reassured the public that the revision process is being conducted in a transparent and efficient manner. “Every eligible citizen will be included in the voter list, and the Election Commission is committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive process,” a spokesperson from the Commission stated.

What This Means for the Bihar Assembly Elections

With the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections drawing closer, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is crucial in updating the state’s electoral rolls. The ongoing controversy over voter documentation and verification has raised concerns about the fairness of the process. While the Election Commission’s clarification regarding the verification process without documents may alleviate some of the opposition’s concerns, the political climate remains tense.

For the opposition, the revision process represents a pivotal moment in Bihar’s electoral landscape. If implemented without further adjustments, they fear that it could lead to the exclusion of millions of voters, particularly those from marginalized communities and rural areas. On the other hand, the Election Commission’s emphasis on transparency and local investigations may help ensure that those who deserve to be on the voter rolls are not unfairly left out.

As the Election Commission continues to roll out the Special Intensive Revision across Bihar, it faces the challenge of balancing the need for thorough voter verification with the imperative of inclusivity. While the revised process allows for local investigations to verify voters without mandatory documents, the opposition’s concerns over the potential disenfranchisement of millions remain a significant issue. Ultimately, the success of this revision process will depend on the effectiveness and fairness of the local investigation mechanism and the transparency with which it is carried out.