EC’s Claim of Foreign Nationals in Bihar Voter List Criticized by CPI(ML) as ‘Excuse’ for SIR

Quick summary:

• The Election Commission (EC) claimed that during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, a significant number of foreign nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar were identified.
• Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya criticized the EC’s claims,arguing they aim to “obfuscate reality” and provide justification for the SIR process.
• Mr. bhattacharya stated that no concerns about foreign nationals were raised during the 2019 elections or acknowledged by Parliament at that time. He added that only three electors were deemed “doubtful” nationally in 2019.
• Ground reports suggest discrepancies in BLO (booth-level officers) visits to households as part of the SIR process; there are complaints about inadequate form distribution and acknowledgment receipts for voters.
• Allegations surfaced regarding harassment faced by BLOs conducting the exercise, including one officer collapsing under work pressure and another resigning from duty citing harassment.
• The CPI(ML) leader referred to these actions as an attempt at “votebandi” or disenfranchisement and condemned the EC’s handling of voter registration issues.

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Indian Opinion Analysis:

The allegations against the Election Commission related to Bihar’s voter roll review raise significant questions about transparency, operational efficiency, and potential implications on democratic processes. Discrepancies claimed by CPI(ML), such as insufficient household coverage by booth-level officers or lack of proper documentation for submitted forms, if corroborated, would undermine public trust in electoral integrity.

The EC’s assertion regarding foreign nationals on voter lists contrasts sharply with its own 2019 parliamentary findings which downplayed such concerns nationally. This apparent inconsistency calls for clarity on data collection standards and verification processes used during the SIR exercise.

Reports mentioning physical tolls on those managing electoral revisions-such as work pressures leading to collapse or resignation-underscore systemic challenges within administrative frameworks tasked with safeguarding inclusive democracy.As scrutiny builds over alleged disenfranchisement risks through initiatives like SIR exercises characterized here as “votebandi,” all stakeholders must prioritize accountability without politicizing foundational democratic rights.

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