Is Any Party Happy with the Current State of Electoral Rolls? CEC Gyanesh Kumar Weighs in Amid SIR Controversy
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Synopsis
In a recent statement, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addressed concerns about electoral rolls in Bihar during a time of political turmoil. With ongoing allegations of voter disenfranchisement and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) under scrutiny, all political parties have voiced their dissatisfaction with the current electoral system.
Key Takeaways
- All political parties express dissatisfaction with the current electoral rolls.
- The Chief Election Commissioner acknowledges the concerns raised.
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is under scrutiny for its process.
- Exemptions apply to voters listed before 2003.
- Extensive dialogue with political representatives is ongoing.
New Delhi, July 6 (NationPress) In light of ongoing accusations regarding a systematic effort to disenfranchise a significant number of voters in Bihar, the Chief Election Commissioner aimed to clarify the situation on Sunday, emphasizing that the existing voter ID cards are a point of concern for every political faction.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar discussed the extensive meetings held with various political parties and representatives over the last four months, revealing a unanimous consensus that the electoral rolls are inadequate, leading the election body to consider a comprehensive revision.
“In the past four months, all 4,123 Election Registration Officers (EROs), all 775 District Election Officers (DEOs), and all 36 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have conducted nearly 5,000 meetings with 28,000 political party representatives. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also welcomed all recognized political parties for discussions. No party expressed satisfaction with the current state of the electoral rolls for various reasons,” CEC Gyanesh Kumar stated.
This statement regarding the thorough revision of electoral rolls gains importance amid vociferous protests from opposition parties, who allege that their grievances are being overlooked by the Election Commission.
On Saturday, the CEC reiterated that the commission is actively engaging with political parties to address their issues.
Importantly, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — a detailed initiative by the ECI to implement ‘new’ electoral rolls in Bihar — has faced heavy scrutiny and backlash from opposition factions.
According to ECI guidelines on SIR, approximately 4.96 crore voters, accounting for 60% of the electorate who were listed in electoral rolls before 2003, are exempt from this exercise, meaning they are not required to submit any documentation to verify their date or place of birth.
Conversely, the remaining 40% of the population, totaling around 3 crore individuals, must provide supporting documents as proof to validate their date or place of birth.
Point of View
It is crucial to acknowledge the pressing concerns raised by political parties regarding the electoral rolls in Bihar. The Chief Election Commission's openness to dialogue is a positive step; however, the dissatisfaction expressed by multiple parties suggests a need for more profound reform to ensure every citizen's voting rights are respected.
NationPress
14/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current issue regarding electoral rolls in Bihar?
The Chief Election Commissioner has highlighted that all political parties are dissatisfied with the current state of electoral rolls, which are perceived as inadequate.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
SIR is an initiative by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls, which has faced criticism from opposition parties.
Who is exempt from submitting documents during the SIR process?
Approximately 4.96 crore voters, representing 60% of the electorate listed before 2003, are exempt from providing documentation.
What must the remaining voters provide for the SIR?
The remaining 40% of the population must submit supporting documents as evidence of their date or place of birth.
How many meetings have been held regarding electoral rolls?
Nearly 5,000 meetings have taken place between Election Commission officials and political party representatives over the last four months.
