Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale Alleges Removal of 1.26 Crore Voters in Bihar Electoral Roll Update

Rapid Summary:

• Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale claims 1.26 crore voters have been “deleted” from Bihar electoral rolls after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
• The Election Commission reported that 91.69% of enumeration forms were received,while:

– 36 lakh voters were found untraceable or permanently shifted.
– 7 lakh duplicate entries were identified, resulting in deletions.

• Mr. Gokhale alleges irregularities and raises questions about the deletion process and lack of clarity regarding foreign nationals reportedly found during SIR.
• He equated the deleted voter count to important populations of smaller states in India.
• Opposition MPs are demanding a debate on the issue in Parliament. Mamata Banerjee has termed SIR “NRC by the back door.”
• The Election Commission maintains that names won’t be removed without due process.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The deletion of over one crore voters from Bihar’s electoral rolls through SIR raises critical concerns about India’s democratic processes and voter inclusivity. While ensuring accuracy in voter lists is essential, such large-scale deletions within a year could profoundly affect public trust in electoral institutions if not transparently explained. Opposition parties are justified in their calls for parliamentary scrutiny as this issue pertains not onyl to voter eligibility but also basic rights.

Furthermore, claims linking this exercise with broader policies like NRC underline political sensitivities surrounding citizenship and identity verification efforts-topics resonating strongly across India’s socio-political landscape. The alleged lack of clarity from the EC on foreign nationals further intensifies skepticism towards administrative goals behind SIR exercises.

While adhering to procedural fairness remains necessary, concrete safeguards and transparent disclosures from policymakers may better address growing apprehensions among citizens.

Read more: The Hindu