Has Congress Really Submitted 89 Lakh Complaints to ECI Regarding Bihar SIR Exercise?
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Synopsis
In a bold move, Congress leader Pawan Khera has claimed that the party has lodged an astonishing 89 lakh complaints with the Election Commission regarding the SIR exercise in Bihar. This raises serious questions about the transparency of the electoral process and the role of the Election Commission. What implications could this have for upcoming elections?
Key Takeaways
- Congress has lodged 89 lakh complaints regarding irregularities in the SIR exercise.
- The Election Commission has been accused of ignoring complaints from political parties.
- Public engagement in filing complaints has increased significantly.
- The draft electoral rolls are provisional and open for public scrutiny.
- The integrity of the electoral process is being questioned.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (NationPress) Criticizing the Election Commission, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera stated on Sunday that the historic party has filed 89 lakh complaints concerning discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise to the electoral body.
During a press conference in Bihar, Khera asserted: "The EC continuously receives reports through its sources claiming that no complaints are being submitted by any political party. The reality is that the Congress has lodged 89 lakh complaints regarding irregularities in the SIR to the EC."
He went on to accuse the electoral authority of failing to register their complaints through Booth Level Agents (BLAs).
"When our BLAs attempted to submit complaints, the EC dismissed their submissions. The commission explicitly informed our BLAs that complaints could only be accepted from individuals, not from political parties," the Congress leader remarked.
“It appears that CEC Gyanesh Kumar may have received directives to refrain from accepting complaints through political entities,” he added.
“We also desire that elections are conducted seamlessly. It is essential that no undeserving individual remains on the voter list and no deserving person’s name is omitted. This is a collective responsibility—yours, ours, and most importantly, that of the Election Commission. We hope the Election Commission thoroughly verifies all the information provided and conducts a door-to-door verification,” he continued.
It is important to highlight that the election panel announced on Sunday that only one day remains for submitting claims and objections regarding the draft electoral roll of 7.24 crore electors. In their daily bulletin, they indicated that—25 claims for inclusion and 103 objections for exclusion were recorded.
At the individual level, citizens have shown increased engagement. The Commission reported receiving 33,326 claims for inclusion and 2,07,565 objections for exclusion, of which 38,342 have already been resolved.
In a similar vein, the Bihar CEO clarified on Sunday that the draft rolls published under the SIR 2025 are provisional and specifically intended for public examination.
“Any alleged duplication at this stage should not be perceived as a conclusive error,” the statement emphasized, noting that the law allows for objections, verification, and corrections prior to final publication.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the significance of this revelation by Congress. The filing of 89 lakh complaints highlights serious concerns about electoral integrity and the role of the Election Commission. The situation calls for a thorough investigation and transparent communication from the EC to ensure public trust in the electoral process.
NationPress
31/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the complaints submitted by Congress regarding the SIR exercise?
Congress has submitted 89 lakh complaints to the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
Why does Congress believe their complaints are not being registered?
Pawan Khera accused the Election Commission of refusing to register complaints filed through Booth Level Agents, stating that only individual complaints are accepted.
What is the significance of the SIR exercise?
The SIR exercise is crucial for updating the electoral rolls and ensuring that the voter list is accurate and inclusive.
