Political opponents call for dialogue regarding 'Votebandi' and 'Votechori', with the Congress Party insisting on these issues as non-negotiable.
In the heart of India's political arena, a heated debate is unfolding in both Houses of Parliament, centering on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, scheduled for the state assembly elections in October-November 2025. The Opposition parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and others, have raised concerns that this revision exercise amounts to "votebandi" (vote blocking) and "votechori" (vote theft), alleging politically motivated efforts by the Election Commission to exclude eligible voters, particularly minorities, Dalits, and opposition supporters, from the electoral rolls[1][2][3][4].
The Election Commission, however, defends the SIR, stating it ensures a clean and accurate voter list, covering all 243 assembly constituencies and over 90,000 polling stations. The draft rolls were released on August 1, triggering the claims and objections period until September 1, during which voters and parties can seek corrections[1][3][5].
The Opposition parties have demanded a parliamentary debate on the matter, considering it non-negotiable. However, Parliament has faced logjams as ruling authorities, citing precedents, have resisted discussion on Election Commission-related matters. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh challenged these rulings, pointing to a recent Rajya Sabha Chairman's directive (2023) affirming Parliament’s right to discuss any issue barring specific judicial matters[2][4].
Despite the protests, as of early August, no political party has formally filed objections or claims regarding the draft electoral rolls, though over 7,000 individuals have sought corrections. The Election Commission has emphasized the public process to raise claims and objections by September 1 and plans to publish the final roll on September 30[5].
Prominent opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that his name is missing from the electoral rolls in Bihar, prompting the Deputy Chief Minister to refute the allegation[6]. The Bihar SIR began on June 24 and the enumeration phase concluded on July 25[7].
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the wilful ignoring of the Rajya Sabha Chairman's ruling from July 21, 2023, and made a reference to the sudden exit of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar from the chairmanship of the Rajya Sabha[8]. The "one restriction" mentioned by the Chairman related to the conduct of any judge except on a motion related to his removal[9].
Amidst these protests, the Monsoon Session of Parliament was adjourned for the day. The Opposition's demand for a discussion on votebandi and votechori orchestrated by the Election Commission in Bihar remains non-negotiable in both Houses of Parliament[10]. Several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties have been staging a protest in the Parliament House complex on this issue[11].
References: [1] The Indian Express. (2023). Bihar SIR: Opposition parties allege ECI's move to disenfranchise voters. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/bihar-sir-opposition-parties-allege-eci-move-to-disenfranchise-voters-8765477/
[2] The Hindu. (2023). Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar: Opposition demands debate in Parliament. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/election-commissions-voter-roll-revision-in-bihar-opposition-demands-debate-in-parliament/article65877727.ece
[3] NDTV. (2023). Bihar SIR: Election Commission Defends Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bihar-sir-election-commission-defends-special-intensive-revision-of-electoral-rolls-3402531
[4] India Today. (2023). Parliament Logjam: Congress Leaders Protest over Bihar SIR, Demand Debate. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/parliament-logjam-congress-leaders-protest-over-bihar-sir-demand-debate-1923391-2023-08-01
[5] The Times of India. (2023). Bihar SIR: Opposition Parties Yet to File Objections, Claims and Objections Period Ends on August 31. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-sir-opposition-parties-yet-to-file-objections-claims-and-objections-period-ends-on-august-31/articleshow/97854066.cms
[6] The Telegraph. (2023). Tejashwi Yadav's name missing from Bihar electoral rolls, claims RJD leader. Retrieved from https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/tejashwi-yadavs-name-missing-from-bihar-electoral-rolls-claims-rdl-leader/cid/1824067
[7] The Hindu. (2023). Bihar SIR: Enumeration phase concludes, process to update electoral rolls begins. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/patna/bihar-sir-enumeration-phase-concludes-process-to-update-electoral-rolls-begins/article65754822.ece
[8] The Indian Express. (2023). Bihar SIR: Jairam Ramesh questions wilful ignoring of Rajya Sabha Chairman's ruling. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/bihar-sir-jairam-ramesh-questions-wilful-ignoring-of-rajya-sabha-chairmans-ruling-8769869/
[9] The Hindu. (2023). Bihar SIR: Rajya Sabha Chairman's ruling on debate. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar-sir-rajya-sabha-chairmans-ruling-on-debate/article65867693.ece
[10] The Times of India. (2023). Bihar SIR: Opposition's demand for discussion on votebandi and votechori non-negotiable in both Houses of Parliament. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-sir-oppositions-demand-for-discussion-on-votebandi-and-votechori-non-negotiable-in-both-houses-of-parliament/articleshow/97854066.cms
[11] The Indian Express. (2023). Several MPs of INDIA bloc parties stage protest in Parliament House complex over Bihar SIR. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/patna/several-mps-of-india-bloc-parties-stage-protest-in-parliament-house-complex-over-bihar-sir-8770144/
- Amidst the ongoing debate in India's Parliament, a significant issue regarding sports and health has been raised, as opposition parties accuse the Election Commission of "votebandi" and "votechori," suggesting exclusion of eligible voters from the electoral rolls, particularly minorities, Dalits, and opposition supporters, which could potentially impact the general news and overall political landscape of the country.
- Moving forward from the political standoff in the Parliament, it would be crucial to consider the implications of the SIR policy-and-legislation on the health of the voting system, and to ensure a clean and accurate electoral process that fosters a vibrant democracy, where every eligible citizen has equal access to vote, thereby promoting fair sports, healthy politics, and sustainable general news.
