Why is ADR Seeking Voter Transparency in Bihar?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has taken a significant step by filing a petition with the Supreme Court, urging the Election Commission of India to unveil the identities of nearly 65 lakh voters omitted from Bihar's electoral rolls. This move aims to bolster transparency and ensure public confidence in the electoral process. What does this mean for Bihar's democracy?
Key Takeaways
- ADR filed a petition for voter transparency.
- 65 lakh voters' names omitted from electoral rolls.
- Request includes details on reasons for omissions.
- Significant implications for Bihar's electoral integrity.
- Public verification is essential for democracy.
New Delhi, Aug 5 (NationPress) The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has approached the Supreme Court with a request for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose information regarding approximately 65 lakh voters whose names have been excluded from the latest draft electoral rolls in Bihar.
To facilitate the verification process for political entities, the general public, and the petitioners, the request emphasizes the need for the ECI to publish a constituency-wise and booth-wise list detailing the names of voters whose enumeration forms were not submitted, along with explanations for their non-submission (such as death, permanent relocation, duplication, untraceability, etc.) associated with each name.
The petition also calls for a detailed list of voters whose enumeration forms were marked as 'not recommended' by the Booth Level Officer, broken down by assembly constituency and booth.
Referring to the ECI's press release dated July 25, the application indicates that nearly 65 lakh names are anticipated to be removed from the current electoral rolls due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The application noted that the ECI possesses data regarding nearly 22 lakh deceased voters, around 35 lakh voters who have permanently moved or are untraceable, approximately 7 lakh voters registered at multiple locations, and about 1.2 lakh voters whose enumeration forms are still pending.
It further suggested that the ECI's failure to provide specific reasons for the deletion of these 65 lakh names may be seen as an attempt to obstruct public verification of whether the individuals in question are indeed deceased or have permanently relocated.
Meanwhile, officials from the Bihar election office stated that contrary to claims made by opposition parties suggesting that the SIR could disenfranchise a substantial number of voters, no political party has raised any issues regarding the process.
Since August 1, not a single objection or claim has been made by any political party, as per the election panel's report.
Last month, the ECI completed the enumeration phase of the SIR in Bihar, running from June 24 to July 25.
Out of a total of 7.89 crore voters, more than 7.24 crore submitted their enumeration forms during the SIR exercise.
Point of View
I firmly believe that transparency in the electoral process is a cornerstone of democracy. The ADR's initiative to seek clarity about voter omissions reflects a necessary demand for accountability from the Election Commission. Upholding the rights of voters and ensuring their voices are heard is paramount for the integrity of our democratic system. Nation must stand united in advocating for the rights of every citizen to participate meaningfully in the electoral process.
NationPress
04/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of ADR's petition?
The ADR's petition aims to compel the Election Commission of India to disclose details about 65 lakh voters whose names were omitted from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar.
How many voters are affected by the omissions?
Approximately 65 lakh voters are reported to have been omitted from the recently published draft electoral rolls in Bihar.
What details is ADR requesting from the ECI?
ADR is requesting constituency-wise and booth-wise lists of voters whose enumeration forms were not submitted, along with reasons for each omission.
What are some reasons for omissions mentioned?
Reasons include death, permanent relocation, duplicates, and untraceability.
What has been the response from opposition parties?
According to the Bihar election office, no political party has raised any objections or claims regarding the SIR process since August 1.
