Controversial Draft Electoral Rolls Stir Political Storm in Bihar

The Election Commission has released draft electoral rolls in Bihar with over 65 lakh names removed due to deaths and migrations. This move, amid assembly poll preparations, has sparked controversy, with opposition parties alleging biases and demanding transparency regarding voter enlistment and exclusions.

The Election Commission has unveiled its contentious draft electoral rolls in Bihar, showing the removal of more than 65 lakh voters who were either deceased or had migrated. This move, made as assembly polls loom, sparked substantial outcry from opposition parties who allege potential bias and demand increased transparency regarding the voter enlistment process.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), a major opposition force, voiced strong dissatisfaction, arguing for a detailed segment-wise voter list, accessible via digital means, for review. Similarly, the Congress party challenged the Commission to clarify the inclusion of foreign nationals on the voters' list before the revision and ensure their removal from the drafts.

Claims of illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh and Myanmar, being registered as voters fueled further political tensions. Meanwhile, the EC's detailed breakdown of voter statistics showed discrepancies in various districts, raising alarms about the exclusion process's fairness and validity. The Supreme Court, amidst pending petitions challenging the revision process, has mandated that the exercise should avoid mass exclusion and called for Aadhar card recognition as valid identification.

(With inputs from agencies.)