Electoral Roll Discrepancies in Bihar Highlighted as Rahul Gandhi Meets 'Dead' Voters
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met with a group of seven voters from Bihar who were declared "dead" and removed from the electoral rolls during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The incident has drawn national attention to allegations of large-scale voter disenfranchisement in the poll-bound state. The group appeared before the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions against the SIR exercise that has reportedly removed 65 lakh names from Bihar's voter lists, prompting calls for greater ECI accountability.
Unpacked:
The Election Commission initiated the SIR in Bihar to update outdated voter records due to migration, unrecorded deaths, and concerns about illegal immigrants, citing a constitutional obligation to ensure only eligible citizens vote ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for November 2025.
Marginalized groups, such as the poor, migrants, Adivasis, Muslims, women, and informal workers, often face challenges obtaining required documents and literacy barriers, making it harder to prove eligibility and navigate the claims process, thus increasing their risk of disenfranchisement.
The Election Commission claims that no eligible voter will be removed without prior notice and an opportunity to appeal. Voters can submit claims and objections until September 1, 2025, but critics argue that documentation hurdles and short timelines may limit effective access to justice.
Supporters argue that the SIR is necessary to clean up voter lists and protect electoral integrity. Critics contend that the lack of transparency and stringent requirements could disenfranchise legitimate voters, especially among vulnerable groups, and undermine democratic accountability.