A major political storm is brewing in Bihar over the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state’s voter list, just months before the upcoming legislative assembly elections. The move has ignited fierce opposition from several political parties, legal petitions in the Supreme Court, and public protests, all centering on fears of disenfranchisement and voter manipulation.
Opposition Raises Alarm, Takes Fight to Supreme Court
The voter list revision exercise, which commenced on July 1, has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM). These parties argue that the timing and scale of the exercise are problematic and could potentially strip marginalized communities of their voting rights.
The RJD has escalated the issue by calling for a statewide road blockade on July 9 to pressure authorities into halting the exercise. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused the Election Commission of rushing the revision without adequate safeguards, claiming that the process could compromise the integrity of the democratic system.
Legal Challenge Over Voter Revision Underway
Parallel to the political outcry, the controversy has reached the Supreme Court. Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay has filed a petition demanding that voter list revisions be made mandatory before every election—parliamentary, assembly, and local bodies—to ensure only Indian citizens are allowed to vote. He emphasized that this is vital to prevent illegal immigrants from influencing electoral outcomes.
The apex court, under Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, had earlier deferred the matter in March, directing Upadhyay to address technicalities in his plea. Now, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on July 10, following urgent pleas from opposition parties to suspend the ongoing revision.
Election Commission Defends the Process
Amidst the political heat, the Election Commission has stood by its decision, asserting that the Special Intensive Revision is a routine and necessary measure. It claimed the process would remove inaccuracies—such as duplicate or deceased voters—and ensure inclusion of new eligible voters, thus contributing to free and fair elections.
However, critics argue that launching the revision so close to the polls opens the door to errors and misuse, particularly when adequate verification mechanisms are not in place.
Tensions Escalate as Bihar Heads Toward High-Stakes Polls
With no interim stay yet granted by the Supreme Court, the controversy continues to escalate. The outcome of the July 10 hearing will be crucial in determining whether the SIR continues or is postponed. Political analysts note that the issue has become a defining flashpoint in Bihar’s pre-election atmosphere, capable of reshaping the dynamics of voter participation and party strategy.
As Bihar heads into a pivotal election season, the debate over who gets to vote and how that list is compiled has become a central battleground—one that could have lasting implications for the state’s democratic fabric.