Election Commission of India (ECI) maintains that no voter deletions will occur without prior notification, in response to Bihar's voter list revision case, as discussed in a recent Supreme Court hearing.

Election Commission of India (ECI) maintains that no voter deletions will occur without prior notification, in response to Bihar's voter list revision case, as discussed in a recent Supreme Court hearing.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken several measures to ensure fairness and transparency in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar draft electoral roll. This process is part of the preparation for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Prior Notice and Reasoned Orders

The ECI has made it clear that no elector's name will be deleted from the draft roll without prior notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a reasoned order from the competent authority. This approach ensures transparency and gives the affected elector a chance to respond before removal.

Two-tier Appeal Mechanism

A robust two-tier appeal system is in place, providing electors with adequate recourse to challenge any deletion or adverse decision. This mechanism strengthens the safeguards against wrongful deletions.

Sharing Missing Form Lists with Political Parties

After house-to-house enumeration form collection, the ECI identified individuals whose forms were missing. These lists were shared with recognized political parties through their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for verification and corrective action, reducing the chances of wrongful exclusion.

Deployment of Volunteers and Government Officers

About 2.5 lakh volunteers, many being Bihar government officers, were deployed to assist electors in procuring required documents and ensuring their inclusion in the rolls.

Adherence to Due Process

The ECI has emphasised its commitment to adhering to principles of natural justice. Deletions cannot be arbitrary but must follow due process and comply with statutory safeguards.

These measures aim to safeguard voting rights by ensuring that deletion from the draft electoral roll undergoes proper scrutiny, prior notice, and opportunity for appeal. However, these safeguards are contested, and the revision process is under Supreme Court scrutiny amidst allegations of disenfranchisement.

Other Key Points

• The affidavit, filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar, states that these safeguards are further reinforced by a robust two-tier appeal mechanism, ensuring that every elector has adequate recourse against any adverse action.
• The ECI has been issuing daily press releases/bulletins to keep the public informed on claims and objections.
• The Commission has made an effort to ensure the inclusion of every eligible elector whose enumeration forms had not been received, by sharing lists with Booth Level Agents of the recognized political parties.
• The affidavit also mentions that the first stage of the SIR in Bihar has been completed, and the Draft Electoral Roll has been published on August 1 after house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for the collection of enumeration forms.
• The Supreme Court refused to stay the Bihar SIR but asked for Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card to be accepted as valid documents.

The Bihar SIR is the first such revision in Bihar since 2003, and advertisements were published in Hindi in 246 newspapers across the country for migrant workers. Petitions challenging the Bihar SIR process allege violations of constitutional provisions and election law. The matter concerning the Bihar SIR is listed for hearing on August 12 and 13 in the Supreme Court of India.

1. The ECI's commitment to upholding policy-and-legislation, as demonstrated by its robust two-tier appeal mechanism and adherence to natural justice, significantly impacts the politics and general-news landscape in Bihar, especially during the upcoming assembly elections and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar draft electoral roll.
2. The ECI's sharing of missing form lists with recognized political parties through their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) is a strategic move aimed at influencing policy-and-legislation and resolving issues related to voting rights, which is a critical aspect of the politics and general-news discourse in Bihar.

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