As Bihar approaches the upcoming assembly elections, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has raised serious questions regarding the scrutiny of the voter list. According to Aaj Tak's ground report, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Hajipur and Muzaffarpur are enrolling names without valid documents, solely on recommendations, even as the Supreme Court keeps an eye on the process and has expressed grave concerns over documentation requirements and transparency.
The purpose of SIR is to audit voter lists by visiting households, removing deceased, duplicate, or incorrect entries, and adding new ones, based on the 2003 voter list and the latest records. BLOs were instructed to only make entries from individuals with documents in hand. However, Aaj Tak's team found that, on the ground, this instruction has become little more than a formality. A BLO in Hajipur remarked, 'Initially, we were told not to accept forms without documents, but now we are accepted to first take forms and gather documents later.'
Identical Situation in Muzaffarpur
Similarly, in Muzaffarpur, a BLO demonstrated a mobile app, showing that they could scan and 'recommend' a form just with a name, birth date, and photo under the 'SIR' tab—even without documents. The app activates using the BLO's OTP, placing the entire process at the discretion of the BLO. One BLO noted, 'We are residents here, and we know the locals, hence we decide who belongs here. We'll collect documents if any objections arise or if the ERO requests.'
Everything Under Camera Surveillance
In both Hajipur and Muzaffarpur, Aaj Tak's team captured BLOs submitting forms without documents on camera. In some scenarios, Aadhaar numbers were recorded, while in others, they weren't. A BLO assistant noted that until recently, forms weren't submitted without an Aadhaar number, but now they are accepted based on the Aadhaar number, name, birth date, and signature, even if the individual wasn't listed in 2003. Meanwhile, a BLO supervisor, responsible for 10 booths, remarked that at present, emphasis is only on removing deceased or duplicate voters, with deep document verification slated post-July 25.
Supreme Court's Stance on Halting SIR
Amidst the entire affair, the Supreme Court refused to halt SIR during its hearing but expressed deep concerns. The court emphasized that the process must not exclude eligible voters from lists under any circumstances. The court questioned why common documents like Aadhaar, EPIC (Voter ID), and ration cards are being refused in several instances, despite being possessed by nearly all citizens. The court directed the Election Commission to broaden the document list in the interest of justice and not to overstep the Home Ministry's boundary on citizenship verification matters.
The court plans further hearings on three key legal questions:
- Does the Election Commission have the authority for such special revisions (SIR)? - Is the current process compliant with electoral laws? - Is it appropriate and fair to undertake this process right before elections?
The Election Commission is required to submit responses by July 21, with the next hearing scheduled for July 28.
Public Reluctance to Provide Documents
At ground level, BLOs are diligently at work. A female BLO in Muzaffarpur mentioned that several families refused to provide documents due to fears that the process is a precursor to their exclusion from the voter list. She remarked, 'I visited the same household four times, but people are apprehensive, fearing this to be akin to an NRC process.' Meanwhile, BLOs in Hajipur are attempting to convince people to fill forms now, assuring documents can be submitted later. One BLO noted, 'There is a lot of confusion, but we're making every effort to ensure no one is left out.'
The Process Appears to Deviate from Its Objective
The SIR process in Bihar was initiated to cleanse the voter list but seems to deviate from its core purpose now. The guidelines regarding documents are unclear, BLO discretion can occasionally lead to discrimination, and despite the Supreme Court's concerns, the Election Commission's process remains under scrutiny. It remains to be seen how the upcoming hearings navigate the process, and whether the trust of millions of Bihar voters can be restored.
