INDIA bloc protests before EC revision of Bihar electoral rolls, calls timing suspect

Calling it the worst attack on the Constitution, the Congress-led INDIA bloc on Wednesday questioned the Election Commission on the sudden announcement of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral roll a few months before the Bihar Assembly poll.

The opposition bloc alleged that by seeking documents like birth certificates of either parents from voters born between 1987 and 2004 and of both parents from voters born after 2004, the EC was trying to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, especially migrant voters, prior to the Assembly elections.

It also sought to know why the most readily available document - the Aadhaar card - was not among the 11 enlisted documents, which are to be shown to poll officials by voters during SIR. It said it was practically impossible to present birth certificate for voters who work in other states or those who live in villages, at a short notice of two months.

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi led the 11-party delegation, including the Bihar Mahagathbandhan members namely the RJD and the CPM.

“We asked the EC what was the urgent need to hold SIR suddenly at a short notice of only a few months before the Bihar poll and whether all elections held in the state since 2003 were conducted wrongfully,” Singhvi told the media after a three-hour meeting with the poll panel.

Several INDIA bloc leaders claimed the meeting was far from cordial as the poll panel capped the leaders to two representatives per party.

The delegation asked the EC, “Besides, who was behind the decision to hold the SIR at the eleventh hour.”

“Our other concern was why the SIR was being held during the monsoon season, when there are possibilities of heavy rainfall and floods in the region,” they added

“The EC heard us, but it seems to be completely disinclined to accept our submissions,” Singhvi said.

RJD MP Manoj Jha said the “conspiracy” to “disenfranchise crores of voters” will be fought tooth and nail. Jha claimed that the EC had no response to the questions of the Opposition on the rationale of the exercise, the eligibility criteria, and whether it has the wherewithal to carry it out.

Under the special revision, which was last carried out in Bihar in 2003, those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, will have to provide documents establishing the date of birth and/or place of birth of father or mother.

Those born after December 2, 2004, will have to establish the same for both parents. It will not be required for those born before July 1, 1987. The EC cited factors such as rapid urbanisation, frequent migration and inclusion of names of foreign illegal immigrants as the reason behind its move.

Property papers and land records are among 11 documents that will be accepted as proof in the case of non-availability of birth certificates.

Singhvi said a vast majority of the people of Bihar, particularly those who have migrated to various states for livelihood, cannot be expected to run from pillar to post to furnish such documents.