Image Source:telegraphindia
A fierce political storm is brewing as India’s opposition unites in protest against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar—and beyond.
What’s the Revision All About?
Initiated on June 24, 2025, the SIR involves door-to-door verification of nearly 80 million voters in Bihar—the first such exercise since 2003. Voters added after that year must furnish rigorous documentation, ranging from birth certificates to parental proof, depending on age group. Those listed in earlier rolls are exempt but must still sign enumeration forms.
The ECI defends the initiative as a necessary step to eliminate duplicates, address migration, and uphold electoral integrity under Article 326 and the Representation of the People Act.
Opposition Alarm Bells
Critics argue the process disproportionately targets marginalized communities—Muslims, the poor, migrants, rural women—who often lack the required documents. Exclusion of widely held IDs like Aadhaar and ration cards compounds the challenge.
Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat calls the timing “far from ideal,” given its proximity to elections and the complexity of the task.
The Supreme Court has intervened, raising concerns about the timeline and document restrictions, and has urged broader ID acceptance.
Political Escalation
On August 11, 2025, opposition leaders—including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sanjay Raut, and others—marched to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi, labeling the SIR a form of “vote theft.” Police intervention led to several brief detentions.
Earlier protests in Bihar—including road blockades—echoed claims that the process aims to disenfranchise voters in opposition strongholds.
Across regions, opposition leaders have continued to slam the SIR, with Mamata Banerjee accusing the exercise of being a “hidden NRC plot,” while others have labeled it undemocratic manipulation.
P. Chidambaram highlighted concerns over transparency, noting the removal of approximately 6.5 lakh migrant voters in Tamil Nadu alongside 65 lakh deletions from Bihar, demanding accountability from the ECI.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like
The Economic Times
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