Did the ECI Really Issue a Voter Certificate to a Dog in Bihar?

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Did the ECI Really Issue a Voter Certificate to a Dog in Bihar?

Synopsis

The Election Commission of India has dismissed viral claims about a dog named Dog Babu receiving a voter certificate in Bihar. This incident raises serious concerns about election integrity and highlights political tensions surrounding voter registration. Discover the truth behind this bizarre claim and its implications for Bihar's electoral process.

Key Takeaways

  • The ECI has debunked claims of a dog being registered to vote.
  • Political figures amplified the viral misinformation.
  • The integrity of the voter registration process has been called into question.
  • The ECI emphasizes the importance of legitimate voter documentation.
  • Public reaction highlights the need for careful verification of information.

New Delhi, July 30 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly refuted claims circulating on social media regarding a dog named “Dog Babu” supposedly being issued a residence certificate under Bihar's Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Roll (SIR) initiative, which would have made it eligible to vote.

This claim, propagated by several political figures including Shiv Sena(UBT)'s Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress’ Supriya Shrinate, and activist Yogendra Yadav, featured what seemed to be an official residence certificate with details humorously attributed to a dog, such as “Kutta Babu” and “Kuttiya Devi”.

The emergence of this document sparked widespread ridicule and concern regarding the credibility of the voter registration process.

In response, the ECI clarified the matter under its #ECIFactCheck initiative, categorizing the document as “INCORRECT”.

The Commission affirmed: “The vote of every citizen is important. No voter in Bihar has presented such a document to the Election Commission.”

This statement highlighted that no legitimate residence certificate has been officially submitted or recognized in any electoral context. The circulated document seems to have been fabricated or manipulated to incite political turmoil during the SIR campaign, which aims to refine and validate voter rolls in the state.

Bihar's Revenue Department officials, whose stamp appears on the fraudulent certificate, confirmed that the image is altered and was not issued by any authorized governmental entity. Moreover, the certificate ID number and QR code visible in the image do not match any valid record in the state database.

This controversy surfaced amidst rising political tensions, with opposition parties accusing the government of mishandling the electoral roll update process.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and various Congress leaders derided the ECI, implying that under the BJP-led administration, even animals could potentially be registered as voters.

Point of View

It is crucial to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. The ECI's decisive action against the viral claim showcases its commitment to ensuring that every vote is legitimate. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially in politically charged environments.
NationPress
31/07/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the claim regarding Dog Babu?
The claim suggests that a dog named Dog Babu was issued a residence certificate allowing it to vote in Bihar, which the ECI has refuted as false.
What did the Election Commission say about this claim?
The ECI categorically stated that the document is incorrect and that no such certificate was submitted by any voter in Bihar.
Who amplified this claim?
The claim was shared by political figures, including Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena(UBT) and Congress leader Supriya Shrinate.
What has been the public reaction?
The claim has sparked widespread outrage and ridicule, prompting discussions about the credibility of the electoral roll update process.
Was the document legitimate?
No, the document was confirmed by Bihar's Revenue Department officials to be doctored and not issued by any authorized office.