Is Chidambaram Right to Question the EC over Bihar Electoral Rolls?
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Synopsis
In a bold move, P. Chidambaram questions the integrity of the Election Commission's voter revision process ahead of Bihar's Assembly elections. With serious allegations of irregularities, he demands transparency and accountability from the electoral body. What follows could redefine the electoral landscape in Bihar!
Key Takeaways
- Chidambaram raises critical questions about the Bihar electoral rolls.
- Concerns over the integrity of the voter purification process are at the forefront.
- The Election Commission is urged to clarify its methods and decisions.
- The Congress-led Opposition claims significant voter deletions.
- Transparency and accountability are essential for electoral trust.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) In the wake of Congress’ sharp criticism regarding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram launched a pointed critique of the electoral body on Thursday, alleging irregularities in the voter purification initiative prior to the state Assembly elections.
On his social media platform, Chidambaram raised six pertinent questions, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the SIR and urging the electoral commission to respond in the spirit of transparency and fairness.
He clarified that he was not directly accusing the Election Commission of misconduct, but emphasized that the people of India, particularly those in Bihar, deserve answers to the numerous uncertainties and suspicions surrounding the expedited voter verification process, which was introduced just ahead of the elections.
Chidambaram posed several inquiries, including: “What is the estimated adult population of Bihar as per the Government of India? What percentage of this population is represented in the Bihar electoral rolls? Is it 90.7%? What about the remaining 9.3%?”
He further questioned, “How many names on the electoral rolls are nonsensical? Is that figure around 24,000? How many house numbers are left blank or are evidently incorrect? Could this number exceed 200,000? How many names are duplicates on the electoral rolls? Is this number close to 520,000?”
The Election Commission released the final electoral rolls for the Bihar elections on September 30, announcing a total of 7.42 crore registered voters.
This announcement has sparked significant backlash from the Congress-led Opposition, which accuses the electoral body of colluding with the ruling party to sway election results.
They assert that at least 10% of the total deletions, approximately 67.3 lakh voters, occurred across merely 15 of the 243 Assembly constituencies.
Additionally, they have called on the poll body to clarify why it has not disclosed a comprehensive list of deleted voters, along with booth-specific details and the justification for these deletions.
Point of View
It is crucial that the integrity of our electoral processes remains uncompromised. The questions raised by Chidambaram reflect the anxiety and skepticism surrounding voter registration in Bihar, emphasizing the need for utmost transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. The public deserves clarity.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Election Commission's role in Bihar?
The Election Commission oversees the electoral process in Bihar, including the preparation of electoral rolls and ensuring free and fair elections.
Why is voter verification important?
Voter verification is essential to ensure that only eligible voters can participate in elections, thereby maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
What are the concerns regarding the Bihar electoral rolls?
Concerns revolve around potential irregularities, such as the inclusion of invalid names and the exclusion of a significant portion of the adult population.
How many voters were deleted from the electoral rolls?
Approximately 67.3 lakh voters were deleted, raising questions about the criteria used for these deletions.
What actions can be taken against electoral irregularities?
Electoral irregularities can be challenged through legal channels, and the Election Commission can be held accountable through public pressure and political discourse.
