Election Commission Denies Allegations of Voter List Manipulation

The Election Commission has firmly denied allegations of manipulating the voter list in Bihar, as claimed by several opposition parties in court. In its response to the Supreme Court regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue, the Commission emphasized its constitutional duty to eliminate fake voters from the electoral roll. The Commission assured that this process is nearing completion and is being conducted in accordance with legal requirements.

Upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections and Electoral Roll Revision

With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, the government formation must occur before the end of the year. The Election Commission, citing Article 324 of the Constitution, argued that the voter list revision process is being carried out consistently and within its jurisdiction. The Commission highlighted that over 90% of counting forms were submitted well before the deadline set for SIR.

Addressing Media Reports and Ensuring Voter Inclusion

The Election Commission expressed concerns over “misleading news” circulating in certain media outlets regarding the SIR process. It clarified that all voters who submitted enumeration forms, regardless of accompanying documents, would be included in the draft roll published on August 1. Voters who missed submitting their forms can still be included in the final rolls by submitting a claim with a declaration and necessary documents.

Opportunities for Voter Inclusion Before Final Roll Publication

The Commission outlined that any individual excluded from the draft roll has an additional opportunity to be included by submitting the required form and documents within thirty-one days after the draft roll’s publication, until September 1, 2025. The final electoral roll will be published on September 30. Even after this publication, new voters can register until the last date for nominations for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Legal Challenges and Next Steps

Petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decision on SIR were filed by RJD MP Manoj Jha, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), activist Yogendra Yadav, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam, among others. These petitioners have requested the court to annul the commission’s directive from June 24, which mandates large sections of Bihar voters to provide proof of citizenship to remain on electoral rolls. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 28.