Challenges Poll Roll Revision in the Supreme Court: Bihar's Opposition Party, RJD, Contests Electoral Roll Alterations in the Apex Court
In Bihar, several political parties and civil society organisations have raised concerns about the Election Commission's (EC) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, fearing it may lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters. The opposition parties claim that the move could potentially deprive around 2 crore people of their voting rights, suggesting that the revision might be used to eliminate voters unfairly.
The EC, however, has maintained that the SIR is being conducted strictly according to legal provisions, with no change in rules or instructions from earlier directives issued on June 24, 2025. The commission has emphasised that the objective of the SIR is to ensure that only eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll and to weed out ineligible names, in line with constitutional and legal provisions.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has approached the Supreme Court challenging the EC's order on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, with senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing the party. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has also challenged the EC's order, alleging it is intended to deprive young electorate from voting in this year's polling.
The Election Commission has debunked claims that the process is being manipulated in favour of the ruling dispensation. The SIR is necessitated by factors such as rapid urbanization, migration, young citizens becoming eligible to vote, non-reporting of deaths, and inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants. The poll body has elaborated upon the process being undertaken as part of the SIR exercise, which includes house-to-house visits, taking live photographs, and assisting electors with form submissions.
The opposition parties, including RJD's Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and his party colleague Tejashwi Yadav, have questioned why the exercise is being carried out only in Bihar and not nationwide. The EC has reiterated that the SIR is being conducted as per the SIR instructions dated June 24, 2025, and there is no change in the instructions.
The electoral rolls draft will be issued on August 1, and electors have been given time till July 25 to submit their documents. Voters who fail to submit documents by July 25 will still have an opportunity to prove their eligibility during the claims and objections period after the draft rolls are published.
The first phase of the SIR exercise in Bihar has been completed, according to the Election Commission. The BJP-led NDA has defended the exercise, stating that it is necessary to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has stated that Bihar's voters will teach the saffron party a lesson for its attack on democracy and the Constitution.
The INDI alliance has decided to flag the issue in Bihar on July 9 as part of a nationwide strike called by Left-leaning trade unions. Several civil society organisations such as PUCL and the Association of Democratic Reforms, and activists like Yogendra Yadav have also approached the Supreme Court against the SIR. The tension seems to stem from fears among opposition parties and some civil society groups that the process, though transparent as claimed by the Election Commission, might be used to manipulate the voter list, potentially excluding genuine voters. Misinterpretations and misinformation have also contributed to the controversy, with the poll panel warning against misleading statements circulating in public discourse.
- The controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, a matter of general news and politics, has led to concern amongst various political parties and civil society organizations, with some alleging it could potentially deprive millions of eligible voters of their voting rights.
- In response to the legal challenge from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, among others, the Election Commission has maintained that the SIR is being conducted strictly in adherence to policy-and-legislation, with no change in rules or instructions from earlier directives issued.
