Electoral Rattle In Bihar: SIR Sparks Clash Between Election Commission And Opposition

New Delhi, July 25 (TNA) The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked significant political unrest ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the SIR process involves a comprehensive re-verification of voter details for all 7.8 crore electors in the state.

This exercise, conducted between June 25 and July 15, aims to eliminate duplicate and ineligible names from the voter lists. However, it has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, particularly regarding stringent documentation requirements and the risk of disenfranchising poor, migrant, and marginalised populations.

The ECI defends the SIR, stating that it is necessary to ensure the cleanliness and accuracy of the electoral rolls, emphasising that proof of citizenship is essential to maintain the integrity of the voting process. They maintain that while Aadhaar is not acceptable as a standalone ID, it can supplement other documents.

So far, the commission has reported 99% participation in the process. Supporting the commission’s stance, the ruling NDA government in Bihar has highlighted the importance of removing irregularities but has also acknowledged concerns about migrants who may find it difficult to complete verification due to their absence during the house-to-house process.

Opposition parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, however, strongly oppose the SIR exercise, alleging it to be a “citizenship screening” manoeuvre designed to exclude voters from marginalised communities, particularly the poor and migrant workers. They have raised alarms about reports of booth-level officers filling out forms without voter consent, as well as inadequate awareness campaigns.

These parties have threatened to boycott the state elections altogether if their demands for more inclusive processes and extended timelines are not met. Civil society organisations have also stepped in, with advocacy groups filing petitions in the Supreme Court citing the risk of disenfranchisement on a large scale.

Migrant workers and marginalised groups express deep anxiety, fearing their names might be dropped from the electoral rolls due to a lack of proper documentation or inability to be physically present during verification. Local reports suggest up to 15–20% of names in some booths, predominantly those of migrants, could be excluded, jeopardising not only their voting rights but also access to welfare schemes tied to the voter list.

The possibility of an opposition boycott has raised concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of the forthcoming elections. Such a boycott could result in the ruling coalition winning uncontested in numerous constituencies, substantially lowering voter turnout and undermining public confidence. It may also trigger legal challenges and protests, further destabilising the political atmosphere in Bihar.

With the final draft of the electoral roll slated for publication on August 1 and claims and objections allowed until September 1, political tensions in the state remain high. As Bihar prepares for its Assembly elections scheduled for late 2025, the unfolding SIR controversy presents a critical test for the democratic process in the region.