The first phase of the special intensive revision of the voter list has wrapped up before the Bihar assembly elections. Now, the issue has reached the Supreme Court. Although several opposition parties, including Congress, had expressed intent to file petitions on this matter, it is anticipated that more petitions will be lodged in the forthcoming weeks. The Supreme Court petition challenges the Election Commission’s directive.
The NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stated in its submission that the Election Commission's directive is arbitrary, risking disenfranchisement of millions. Therefore, they urge the Supreme Court to intervene in this serious civil rights matter.
Alongside ADR, social activist Yogendra Yadav has also approached the Supreme Court contesting the Election Commission of India's “special intensive revision” of the voter list in Bihar.
Read more: 'Election Commission engages consistently, holding 5,000 meetings over four months...', CEC Gyanesh Kumar refutes opposition claims ADR has sought the annulment of the Election Commission's order dated May 24, labeling it arbitrary. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process is scheduled from June 25 to July 26. Initially, the Election Commission required all voters to submit necessary documents, though some changes were subsequently made.
Read more: Tejashwi launches protest against voter list update, plans Bihar road blockade on July 9
For this process, over 77,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will work alongside government employees and political party activists to audit records of more than 7.8 million registered voters in Bihar. The Election Commission has requested proof of citizenship from both existing and new voters.
