Why Haven't Political Parties Raised Concerns About Draft Rolls? - EC
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Synopsis
The Election Commission reports no objections from political parties regarding Bihar's draft electoral rolls, raising eyebrows amidst the upcoming Assembly elections. Over 74,000 new voters have requested inclusion, yet the lack of opposition complaints is particularly striking given recent tensions over voter verification.
Key Takeaways
- No objections raised by political parties regarding the draft rolls.
- Over 74,000 new voter requests submitted.
- One-month window for complaints about electoral rolls.
- Claims will be processed after a seven-day verification period.
- Significant silence from opposition parties noted.
New Delhi, Aug 13 (NationPress) The Election Commission (EC) released its regular update regarding the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative in Bihar and noted on Wednesday that as of now, no political party has lodged any objections or complaints pertaining to the inclusion or exclusion of voters from the electoral list.
Over 17,000 individuals have directly approached the electoral authority to voice their concerns, as reported in the bulletin.
In total, 74,525 new voters have requested the electoral body to include their names in the voting register. Among these, six individuals who reached 18 years of age after the draft rolls were published on August 1 have submitted their applications via Booth Level Agents (BLAs).
While new voters are seeking to be added to Bihar's electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections later this year, the notable absence of claims and objections, especially from opposition parties, has drawn considerable attention, especially considering their previous strong opposition to the voter verification process in the state.
The Election Commission clarified that claims and objections will be processed by the relevant ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER (ERO) or ASSISTANT ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER (AERO) after a seven-day window following the verification of eligibility documents.
According to the SIR directives, no name can be removed from the draft list published on August 1, 2025, without a formal order from the ERO/AERO that follows an inquiry and provides a fair opportunity.
It is important to note that the draft electoral rolls were published on August 1, with a one-month period allocated for individuals and parties to submit their grievances regarding entries in the draft list.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has 47,506 BLAs, the Congress has 17,549, and the Left parties have over 2,000, collectively exceeding 67,000.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) completed the enumeration phase of the SIR from June 24 to July 25, with over 7.24 crore electors out of 7.89 crore submitting their enumeration forms by the end of the revision period.
Point of View
It is essential to highlight that the silence of political parties on the draft electoral rolls is noteworthy, especially given the context of recent electoral reforms. The absence of complaints may indicate a shift in strategy or a potential acceptance of the electoral process in Bihar. This situation requires careful monitoring as we approach the Assembly elections.
NationPress
03/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is an initiative by the Election Commission aimed at updating the electoral rolls and ensuring accurate voter registration ahead of elections.
How many new electors have requested inclusion?
A total of 74,525 new electors have submitted requests for their names to be added to the electoral rolls.
What is the deadline for filing complaints regarding the draft rolls?
The Election Commission has provided a one-month window for individuals and parties to submit their complaints about the draft electoral rolls.
What happens to claims and objections submitted?
Claims and objections will be processed by the relevant Electoral Registration Officers after a verification period of seven days.
Why is the lack of complaints significant?
The absence of objections from political parties, particularly opposition groups, raises questions about their stance on voter verification and overall electoral reforms.
