The Election Commission of India has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusivity during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar, stating that no name will be removed from the draft roll without adhering to due process.
Amid strong opposition claims that the exercise could disenfranchise crores of eligible voters, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge staged a symbolic protest at Parliament, tearing a copy of the SIR document to highlight the alleged concerns.
In response, the poll panel issued a statement on July 27, detailing ten aims of the SIR initiative. These include ensuring participation from all electors—urban, young, and temporary migrants—while also involving all political parties to maintain transparency. The EC emphasised that the exercise is designed to strengthen electoral integrity and not to exclude eligible citizens.
The enumeration phase concluded last Friday, and the scrutiny of the draft roll will commence on August 1, ending on September 1.
This clarification comes as part of the EC’s effort to address rising political tensions and protect voter rights amid concerns of procedural lapses.
