Supreme Court Challenges Bihar's Voter Roll Revision

The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the Election Commission to explain the omission of approximately 65 lakh voters from Bihar's draft electoral rolls. An NGO has contested the electoral body's decision, requesting transparency on the voter deletions. The court is set to hear the matter in mid-August.

The Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing electoral roll revision in Bihar, questioning the exclusion of 65 lakh voters from the draft rolls. During Wednesday's hearing, it instructed the Election Commission to provide detailed information about these omissions by August 9. The court also asked for the data which has already been shared with political parties to be given to the NGO, Association For Democratic Reforms.

The NGO has challenged the Election Commission's June 24 directive for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, arguing for publishing detailed reasons for voter deletions. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, pointed out discrepancies in the information shared with political parties and demanded clarity on whether the excluded voters were deceased, migrated, or omitted for other reasons.

The poll body claimed many omitted voters were either deceased or had relocated. However, a significant number were included based on recommendations from Booth Level Officers. The Supreme Court emphasized the need for genuine inclusivity and underscored the importance of accepting Aadhaar and voter ID documents to ensure eligible citizens are not disenfranchised.

(With inputs from agencies.)