A special revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls has triggered political friction before this year’s assembly elections, with opposition parties questioning the document requirements and timing. Supreme Court will hear petitions on July 10 challenging EC’s decision to carry out the exercise in the poll-bound state .
Why the revision?
EC says the special intensive revision (SIR) aims to eliminate duplicate and bogus voters, especially those listed both at permanent and current addresses. EC insists that only residents currently living in an area should be on its voter rolls, in accordance with constitutional norms ensuring that only Indian citizens can vote. The exercise, last conducted in 2003, targets updated enrolment and removal of ineligible entries. Bihar currently has around 7.9 crore registered voters.
Migrants need not panic
Millions of Bihar residents have migrated elsewhere for work or education but remain enrolled in their native constituencies. EC clarifies that names already in the 2003 electoral rolls — available at https:// voters.eci.gov.in — or of their descendants need no documentary proof of ancestry when submitting the fresh enumeration forms being distributed by boothlevel officers.
Why not Aadhaar, MGNREGA or ration cards?
EC excludes Aadhaar, ration, and MGNREGA cards from valid proof, citing concerns that illegal immigrants, especially from Bangladesh, may have obtained these documents. Govt fears such entries in border regions like Seemanchal, near Bengal and Nepal. Aadhaar-based documents are seen as vulnerable to misuse and suspected foreigners flagged by officials can be referred under Citizenship Act.
Documents accepted eligible voters may submit any of the following
Govt-issued pension order Pre1987 official document from any govt or PSU Birth certificate Passport matriculation orother school certificates Permanent residence certificate Forest rights certificate Caste certificate NRC (where available) Family register from local authorities Land or house allotment certificate from govt agencies
Oppn demands & concerns
Opposition parties argue that most accepted documents require Aadhaar-based verification. They also cite the 2011 socio-economic census showing that 65.58% of rural households in Bihar own no land - making land-linked documents inaccessible to many . Critics say the short deadline - less than a month - is insufficient, especially for those lacking birth or school certificates.
EC response
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the process would ensure inclusion of all eligible voters. EC clarified that if documents are found lacking after the draft rolls are published on Aug 1, voters will have another opportunity to submit them during the scrutiny phase.
Why the revision?
EC says the special intensive revision (SIR) aims to eliminate duplicate and bogus voters, especially those listed both at permanent and current addresses. EC insists that only residents currently living in an area should be on its voter rolls, in accordance with constitutional norms ensuring that only Indian citizens can vote. The exercise, last conducted in 2003, targets updated enrolment and removal of ineligible entries. Bihar currently has around 7.9 crore registered voters.
Migrants need not panic
Millions of Bihar residents have migrated elsewhere for work or education but remain enrolled in their native constituencies. EC clarifies that names already in the 2003 electoral rolls — available at https:// voters.eci.gov.in — or of their descendants need no documentary proof of ancestry when submitting the fresh enumeration forms being distributed by boothlevel officers.
Why not Aadhaar, MGNREGA or ration cards?
EC excludes Aadhaar, ration, and MGNREGA cards from valid proof, citing concerns that illegal immigrants, especially from Bangladesh, may have obtained these documents. Govt fears such entries in border regions like Seemanchal, near Bengal and Nepal. Aadhaar-based documents are seen as vulnerable to misuse and suspected foreigners flagged by officials can be referred under Citizenship Act.
Documents accepted eligible voters may submit any of the following
Oppn demands & concerns
Opposition parties argue that most accepted documents require Aadhaar-based verification. They also cite the 2011 socio-economic census showing that 65.58% of rural households in Bihar own no land - making land-linked documents inaccessible to many . Critics say the short deadline - less than a month - is insufficient, especially for those lacking birth or school certificates.
EC response
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the process would ensure inclusion of all eligible voters. EC clarified that if documents are found lacking after the draft rolls are published on Aug 1, voters will have another opportunity to submit them during the scrutiny phase.
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