During the ongoing revision of the Bihar voter list, the Nitish Kumar-led government has assured the state assembly that no genuine voter’s name will be removed from the electoral rolls. The announcement came on Thursday during a session in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, where both Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary reaffirmed this commitment on behalf of the state government.

The issue was raised prominently by Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who demanded that the Chief Minister make a clear and public statement ensuring the protection of legitimate voters. The matter quickly turned into a central point of discussion, as all political parties took turns to express their positions on the voter list revision process.

Assurance from the Government Amid Rising Concerns

As the assembly session began, Tejashwi Yadav requested Speaker Nandkishore Yadav to allow continuation of the discussion on the special revision of the voter list, which had remained incomplete the previous day. The Speaker permitted the motion, and Tejashwi began by referencing the Election Commission’s affidavit in the Supreme Court, pointing out that the reply did not mention countries like Nepal, Myanmar, or Bangladesh, which were previously cited in public narratives.

Tejashwi highlighted concerns about selective deletions and demanded clarity on the methodology being followed in the ongoing revision. His remarks reflected a wider fear among opposition parties that a large number of marginalized and poor citizens could potentially be excluded due to errors or bias in the revision process.

Responding to these concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary acknowledged that the matter of voter verification is currently being heard in the Supreme Court. He said the ruling alliance had initially not favored discussing the issue in the assembly because of the legal implications, but agreed to participate once the Speaker allowed it.

The minister then assured the house that the state government is committed to ensuring that no eligible or correct voter is excluded from the electoral rolls. He added that if anyone finds that a legitimate voter has been removed, the government will take cognizance and will communicate directly with the Election Commission of India to rectify the error.

Transparent Verification Process Promised by the State

During the debate, Vijay Kumar Choudhary reiterated that the administration would ensure complete transparency in the voter list verification and revision process. He invited even the opposition members to submit names or details of voters who may have been wrongfully removed or are at risk of exclusion.

He emphasized that the government has no intention to delete names of genuine citizens and is equally concerned about maintaining fair electoral rolls. His statement aimed to calm the growing public anxiety surrounding the voter list revision drive being carried out across Bihar.

Political Reactions from Opposition and Allies

The discussion saw active participation from several political parties. Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan alleged that the BJP fears defeat in upcoming elections, which is why voter deletions are being strategically carried out. He said the fear of losing power is driving the manipulation of electoral records.

CPI(ML) MLA Mehboob Alam warned that the revision process poses a threat to millions of poor voters, who may lose their democratic rights due to minor errors or deliberate omissions. He argued that such actions are equivalent to disenfranchising the underprivileged, especially those living in remote or poorly connected areas.

CPI leader Suryakant Paswan took a stronger stance, accusing the government of launching an attack on democracy under the guise of voter list revision. He argued that the entire process seems skewed and lacks adequate checks to ensure fairness.

In contrast, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM party represented by Jyoti Manjhi called the decision to revise the list commendable, suggesting that cleansing the electoral rolls of inaccuracies is necessary. She welcomed the revision drive but urged caution to avoid harming genuine voters.

Voter List Revision Under Legal and Public Scrutiny

The voter list revision process in Bihar has come under legal and public scrutiny after reports emerged suggesting that over 60 lakh names could be removed during the exercise. With millions of forms still pending submission, concerns have grown that eligible voters might be left out of the final list due to data mismatch or administrative errors.

In light of this, the Supreme Court is examining the legal aspects of the revision, especially with respect to claims that names of poor and marginalized communities are being disproportionately removed. While the Election Commission has defended its process, political parties and civil society groups continue to raise red flags.

The matter has gained national attention, with opposition parties demanding that the government ensure inclusive participation in democracy and protect every citizen’s right to vote.

Bihar Government Reaffirms Faith in Democratic Process

By making a statement in the assembly, the Nitish government has attempted to reassure the public and stakeholders that no injustice will be done to any voter. The ministers said the entire revision exercise is being monitored closely and corrective measures will be taken wherever required.

The assurance comes at a critical time, as Bihar is gearing up for its next round of state and general elections, where accurate voter data is essential to conduct free and fair polling. Officials involved in the revision drive have been directed to follow standard procedures and maintain accuracy in deletion and addition of names.

The government has also encouraged citizens to actively participate in the claim and objection process, which remains the final legal remedy for those who believe their names have been wrongly omitted from the voter list.

The revision of voter lists is a routine but crucial process in India’s electoral framework. However, when this exercise raises doubts about the fairness or neutrality of the authorities involved, public confidence can quickly erode.

The assurance given by the Nitish Kumar government is a step in the right direction, but it must be followed by strict monitoring, transparent verification, and proactive response to grievances. Bihar’s political landscape is sensitive, and any perception of voter suppression—real or exaggerated—can lead to major political consequences.

As the process continues, all eyes will be on how effectively the Election Commission and the state government prevent wrongful deletions, while also ensuring genuine cleansing of duplicate and fraudulent entries. Ultimately, the right to vote must remain untouched, unharmed, and universally protected—the very foundation of a healthy democracy.