More pleas in SC against Bihar poll roll revision; EC defends move, says process on track

Photo for representational intent only. File photo

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, societal activistic Yogendra Yadav and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) person moved the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls successful Bihar up of the October-November Assembly polls. The EC, however, has reaffirmed its committedness to the exercise, calling it indispensable to guarantee close elector lists.

On June 24, the EC ordered the SIR successful Bihar, the archetypal specified revision since 2003, to region ineligible voters and see eligible citizens, citing accelerated urbanisation, migration, caller voters, unreported deaths and imaginable overseas nationals connected the rolls.

In a connection issued successful Patna, the EC dismissed speculation astir modifications to the SIR, saying the workout is proceeding arsenic per the archetypal June 24 instructions. Refuting rumours of alterations, the committee said the revision “is progressing smoothly with beardown nationalist participation”.

It said portion voters indispensable taxable documents by July 25, those who missed the deadline could inactive beryllium included during the consequent claims and objections period. It cautioned the nationalist against “misleading statements” by critics who it said had not decently reviewed the SIR order.

In a societal media post, the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer confirmed the revision was proceeding arsenic planned, with the draught rolls acceptable to see existing voters whose forms were received connected time.

However, concerns implicit wide disenfranchisement persisted. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a PIL connected Saturday, calling the SIR arbitrary and unconstitutional, alleging violations of cardinal rights and electoral laws. It sought an contiguous enactment connected the process.

Moitra’s petition excessively argues that the SIR violates law provisions and electoral laws, portion PUCL contends the EC has failed to warrant the revision’s necessity oregon mitigate imaginable harm to voters. Yadav has besides demanded an urgent stay, calling the workout “manifestly arbitrary and unreasonable”.