Election Commission Addresses Misinformation

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has addressed the spread of misinformation regarding the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise conducted in Bihar. The ECI criticized certain individuals for misleading the public about the nature of the voter list, emphasizing that it is a draft and not the final version. This clarification comes as Bihar prepares for its upcoming assembly elections, scheduled around November.

Draft List Misunderstood as Final

In a recent statement, the ECI highlighted that the voter list released was clearly marked as a draft. Despite this, some individuals have been portraying it as the final list, causing unnecessary confusion. The ECI expressed its inability to comprehend why such misinformation is being spread when there is a designated period from August 1 to September 1 for addressing any wrongful inclusions or exclusions.

Role of Booth Level Agents

Booth level agents (BLAs), appointed by political parties, play a crucial role in the voter list revision process. The ECI questioned why these agents are not being utilized effectively to submit claims and objections during the specified period. The commission reiterated that the draft list is not final and urged political parties to engage their BLAs in the process.

Phase One of SIR Concludes

The first phase of Bihar’s SIR has concluded, involving house-to-house surveys and distribution of semi-filled enumeration forms to voters. The ECI reported receiving forms from 7.24 crore electors. During this phase, it was discovered that 36 lakh individuals had either permanently relocated or were untraceable, and seven lakh voters were registered at multiple locations.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Opposition parties in Bihar have raised concerns about potential disenfranchisement due to document requirements during roll revision. They allege that the ruling BJP might exploit this process to target opposition supporters. In response, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused opposition parties of attempting to undermine democracy by supporting foreign infiltrators. He defended the SIR exercise as a means to enhance transparency in electoral rolls.