The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a new initiative in Bihar called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to clean up the electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming state elections. This process uses the 2003 voter list as the base document and requires only new voters or those missing from that list to submit proof of identity and eligibility. The final voter list is expected by September 30. While the initiative aims to eliminate fake or duplicate entries, several concerns have emerged regarding its transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Individuals born after July 1, 1987, must provide proof of their own birth as well as their parents’ birth certificates. This poses challenges for people in remote or underdeveloped regions where record-keeping has historically been poor.
Example: A tribal woman from a remote village, born in 1990, may lack both her own and her parents’ birth certificates, making registration difficult.
Vulnerable communities — including Dalits, tribals, Muslims, migrants, and the rural poor — often do not possess formal identification or documentation. As a result, they risk being excluded from the updated voter rolls.
Example: A migrant worker who recently relocated to another district may be left out if he cannot produce his parents’ birth documents or place of origin proof.
Many rural and low-literacy citizens are unaware of the new document requirements, submission locations, or deadlines. This lack of information could lead to eligible voters being unintentionally left out of the rolls.
Example: A farmer who learns about the process too late may miss the submission deadline and lose his right to vote despite being eligible.
Local officers, such as Booth Level Officers (BLOs), have significant discretion in accepting or rejecting voter applications. Without strong oversight mechanisms, this could lead to inconsistent decisions or even bias.
Example: A genuine applicant might be rejected if the official considers the provided proof "insufficient" without clear justification.
The ECI has not publicly shared the list of names proposed for deletion from the rolls. This means that individuals might remain unaware that their names have been removed until election day.
Example: A woman arriving to cast her vote could discover that her name has been deleted, with no prior notice or time to appeal.
Under the new guidelines, photos, videos, and CCTV footage from polling stations will be deleted within 45 days unless a formal complaint is lodged. Previously, this data was preserved for up to a year, serving as crucial evidence for investigating election disputes or irregularities.
This change could reduce public transparency and media oversight of the election process.
The Special Intensive Revision aims to improve the accuracy of Bihar’s voter list, but its stringent documentation rules and limited outreach may unintentionally disenfranchise many eligible citizens. Ensuring greater transparency, community awareness, and procedural fairness will be essential to uphold the democratic principle of universal suffrage.
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