Is the Patna Voter List Controversy Justified?
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Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has dismissed claims made in a viral video by YouTuber Ajit Anjum as misleading, amidst ongoing debates over the electoral roll revision in Bihar. This article explores the details of the controversy and its implications.
Key Takeaways
- The ECI has rejected the claims made in the viral video.
- The investigation confirmed the BLOs were performing legitimate tasks.
- Public vigilance against misinformation is essential.
- The integrity of the electoral process must be maintained.
- Accurate voter lists are critical for fair elections.
Patna, July 17 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly rejected a viral video circulated by YouTuber Ajit Anjum, describing it as "false and misleading" in the context of the ongoing political discussions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The controversial video suggested that a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Patna was seen filling out and signing numerous voter forms, igniting political reactions and public anxiety.
RJD MP Manoj Jha shared the video on social media, urging the ECI to clarify if such practices were also "misleading".
In response to Jha’s post on social media platform X, the ECI stated, “The claims made in the video mentioned in this post are false. You may refer to the link provided below for more details.”
This link directed users to a comprehensive clarification from the District Administration of Patna.
The link shared by the ECI contained a detailed statement from the District Returning Officer-cum-District Magistrate of Patna, Tyagarajan S.M., who indicated that a thorough investigation was carried out regarding the claims made in the video, and statements from the involved BLOs were collected.
The statement confirmed that Rani Kumari, the BLO at polling centre number 226; Vijay Kumar at polling booth number 32; Sanjeet Kumar at polling booth number 224; Raj Kishore Singh at polling booth number 25; and Amit Kumar at polling booth number 260 were compiling lists of deceased voters and individuals who have permanently relocated from Bihar to other states.
Once finalized, these lists will be validated with the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of various political parties to ensure that no legitimate voter is excluded from the voter list.
The investigation concluded that the video was posted prior to the completion of the final draft.
According to Rani Kumari, the BLO at polling booth 226, out of 878 voters, the list of 725 voters was shown in the video before the final draft was ready.
The process of compiling the list of deceased and permanently shifted voters is still ongoing, with the BLOs working under the supervision of the district returning officers.
After a detailed inquiry, the administration determined that the allegations made by the YouTuber in the viral video were misleading.
The statement also pointed out that some journalists and YouTubers were publishing reports without seeking the administration’s input, thereby disseminating factually incorrect and misleading information.
The Patna district administration has urged the public to remain cautious against such misleading narratives.
On July 16, a video titled “Caught on camera: BLO found filling and signing thousands of voter forms in Patna,” alleged that during the Special Intensive Revision 2025, voter form formats were being filled and signed by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) himself.
Point of View
I affirm that the integrity of the electoral process is paramount. The swift response from the ECI and the Patna district administration reflects a commitment to transparency, ensuring that misinformation does not compromise public trust in the electoral system.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the viral video about?
The viral video claimed that a Booth Level Officer in Patna was improperly filling and signing voter forms during the electoral roll revision, raising concerns about electoral integrity.
How did the Election Commission respond?
The Election Commission of India categorically rejected the claims made in the video, labeling them as false and misleading.
What actions were taken by the Patna district administration?
The Patna district administration conducted a thorough investigation, confirming that the BLOs were compiling lists of deceased voters and those who have relocated, rather than filling out forms improperly.
What is the significance of the Special Intensive Revision?
The Special Intensive Revision is crucial for maintaining updated and accurate electoral rolls, ensuring that every legitimate voter is accounted for in the electoral process.
What should the public do in light of misinformation?
The public is advised to verify information before sharing and to remain vigilant against misleading narratives that may affect electoral integrity.
