Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Amid mounting opposition protests and political backlash, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly defended its special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, asserting that the clean-up drive is essential for maintaining the integrity of India’s democratic process. In a detailed statement, the commission pushed back against allegations of voter suppression, calling the exercise constitutionally mandated and timely.
Rebuttal to Allegations, Emphasis on Constitutional Duty
Referring to protests led by senior opposition leaders, the EC questioned whether it should allow “fake votes in the name of deceased, duplicate or foreign voters,” merely due to political pressure. “The Constitution of India is the mother of Indian democracy,” the poll body stated, adding that its actions are grounded in transparency and legality. “Should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for fake voting?” the statement posed, as per ANI.
Major Discrepancies Revealed in Bihar Rolls
According to data released by the EC, its ongoing audit has uncovered 18 lakh deceased electors, 26 lakh electors who moved to different constituencies, and 7 lakh with dual entries — revealing significant gaps in the voter lists. These figures, the EC argued, justify the need for urgent rectification to prevent electoral fraud.
Opposition’s ‘Vote Bandi’ Allegation Rejected
The EC’s clarification came amid dramatic protests in Parliament and the Bihar Assembly. Congress, RJD, SP, DMK, TMC, and JMM MPs rallied under banners reading “SIR: Stealing Indian Rights” and “Death of Democracy.” Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the Centre was “manipulating” electoral outcomes — inflating voter lists in Maharashtra while “deleting” names in Bihar.
However, the EC countered such claims in its affidavit, noting that the SIR process follows Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951. “An ineligible person has no right to vote and thus cannot claim protection under Articles 19 or 21,” the affidavit stated.
Call for Cross-Party Introspection
In a broader appeal, the EC said, “This is the time for essential thinking beyond political ideologies.” It reiterated that its voter roll clean-up is the “foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy” and not an attempt to tilt the scales of power. As Bihar heads toward polls, the spotlight remains firmly on the balance between electoral integrity and inclusive enfranchisement.
