EC's Voter Verification Drive Stirs Bihar Poll Pot

While the poll body insists its drive will ensure integrity of electoral rolls, the Opposition alleges it will disenfranchise millions from marginalized sections. Archis Mohan explains

- Archis Mohan

Amid mounting criticism from the Opposition parties over its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (EC) on Sunday insisted that it has completed the "initial phase" of the exercise.

On June 24, the poll body had issued instructions to carry out the SIR in Bihar aimed at weeding out ineligible names and ensuring that only eligible citizens are included in final electoral rolls. Reasoning out its move, the EC pointed at rapid urbanization, migration, addition of new voters, and names of foreign illegal immigrants appearing on the voters' list. It said that the initiative will ensure the integrity and preparation of error-free electoral rolls.

Since then, politicians, activists, and a citizens' group have petitioned the Supreme Court against the EC's move. Among those who filed the petitions are: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), political activist Yogendra Yadav, and Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra.

On Sunday, Moitra alleged that the SIR was intended to deprive millions of genuine voters who were born between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004, adding that it was designed to help the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).