New Delhi: The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar has sparked a major controversy, with multiple petitions challenging its legality filed in the Supreme Court. Civil society, opposition parties, and electoral watchdogs have raised serious concerns about potential mass disenfranchisement, accusing the EC of violating existing electoral laws.
⚖️ ‘Illegal and Impractical’: ADR Co-Founder
Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and a petitioner in the case, described the EC’s SIR process as both “illegal” and “impractical.”
“If this continues unchecked, half of Bihar could lose their voting rights,” Chhokar told Hindustan Times.
Chhokar referred to a June 24 EC notification, which stated that citizenship is presumed only for those on the voter list prior to January 1, 2003. He warned that this assumption could mean automatic deletion of all voters added between 2003 and 2025, without following due process.
📜 Violation of Due Process
Citing the Representation of the People Act (1951) and the Registration of Electors Rules (1960), Chhokar said the EC must send individual notices and allow personal hearings before removing names.
“Instead, names added post-2003 are being deleted en masse—this violates the law,” he said.
📉 Rushed and Unjustified
Chhokar also questioned the need and timing of the SIR:
- The EC cited urbanisation, migration, and illegal immigrants as reasons.
- But these have existed for 20–25 years, he argued.
- “Why now? Why not a year ago?”
He also called the timeline unrealistic:
“Each BLO (Booth Level Officer) must visit homes at least twice. Can this be done within a month?”
🧾 Changing Citizenship Criteria?
Another major concern is the new declaration form that the EC requires. Chhokar says this amounts to changing voter eligibility norms, something only the Home Ministry is authorised to do—not the EC.
He added that while the Bihar CEO claimed “Aadhaar is sufficient”, the EC press note on July 6 contradicted this, stating that additional documents must be submitted by July 25.
🧳 What About Migrant Workers?
Around 30–40% of Bihar’s population migrates for work. Chhokar raised a practical concern:
“How can a labourer in Punjab or Mumbai be expected to download, fill, and upload a voter form?”
🧨 EC’s Defence and Political Backlash
CEC Gyanesh Kumar defended the SIR on July 6, claiming all political parties were consulted and that everyone agreed the voter rolls needed correction.
However, opposition parties, including the Congress, have alleged the EC is acting under political pressure to manipulate voter lists ahead of elections.
🚨 What the ADR Wants
- Immediate halt of the SIR process
- If not a full stop, at least a Supreme Court stay
- Legal review of all changes
- Protection of citizenship and voting rights of legitimate voters
“If someone is wrongly presumed to not be a citizen, they could even be deported. That’s extremely dangerous,” Chhokar warned.