SIR in Bihar: INDIA bloc terms it 'institutional arrogance'; claims NDA parties also affected by exercise - Key points

NEW DELHI: The INDIA bloc on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, alleging that the voter deletion process is marred by opacity, flawed data, and institutional arrogance .

Citing EC data that over 63 lakh voters were found “not at address” due to death, migration, or other reasons, the Opposition demanded that the exercise be halted immediately.

They also said the issue is not limited to the INDIA bloc voters alone, NDA allies, too, are being affected, and vowed to take the matter to the people.

Also read: Even the dead are filling up Bihar SIR forms, Supreme Court told

Here are the key quotes from the press conference:

Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Congress):

• “The entire exercise reeks of institutional arrogance. There are too many inconsistencies and no clarity.”
• “This is not a correction exercise; this is exclusion in the name of verification.”

Manoj Jha (RJD):

• “Opacity has become the hallmark of your functioning.”
• “63 lakh voters are being considered for deletion, and the number may grow. This is disenfranchisement.”

INDIA bloc statement :

• “Our apprehension is turning out to be true. We had warned that this drive would ultimately lead to the exclusion of nearly 2 crore people.”
• “The EC is basing voter deletions on flawed form-based data. The scrutiny is not over; more exclusions are likely in the coming month.”
• “We will go to the people on this issue. Even NDA allies are seeing their voters affected.”

Demand:

• “The SIR exercise must be stopped immediately. It is fraught with procedural lapses and data errors.”

Also read: Stalin demands scrapping of SIR; tells Centre not to play with fire

The Opposition has urged the Election Commission to address these concerns transparently, warning that continued deletion without proper verification threatens democratic participation.