Is the Election Commission Manipulating Voter Lists to Favor the BJP?

Patna, Aug 2 (NationPress) The uproar regarding the absence of Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar and a prominent figure in the Rashtriya Janata Dal, from the voter list has escalated. Party spokesperson Chittaranjan Gagan alleged on Saturday that the Election Commission of India manipulated the records to obscure discrepancies and accused the BJP of engaging in political theatrics.

In defense of Tejashwi Yadav, Gagan stated, "When Tejashwi Yadav showcased during a live press conference that his name was absent from the voter list using his EPIC number, the Election Commission was caught in the act. Following that, the EPIC number was altered to falsely indicate that his name was not removed, but rather that only the booth and serial number had changed."

He claimed that the original EPIC number 'RAB2916120' was substituted with 'RABO456228', which contradicts the Election Commission's established norms.

"There is no provision for changing the EPIC number without a voter’s application. If this alteration was legitimate, why was it not communicated to Tejashwi Yadav?" Gagan questioned, asserting that this incident demonstrates how regular citizens could be quietly disenfranchised.

The RJD spokesperson accused the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP, stating, "When the theft was uncovered, BJP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, began issuing empty statements to defend the Election Commission. They are merely putting on a show to divert attention from the core issue."

He further asserted, "This incident indicates that the Election Commission operates under the influence of the BJP. If even a two-time Deputy Chief Minister and the current Leader of the Opposition can be targeted, what hope is there for the common voter?"

Earlier, the Election Commission clarified that Tejashwi Yadav's name is recorded at serial number 416 at booth number 204, denying any deletion.

They emphasized that only booth and serial numbers can change after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), not the EPIC number.

However, if the RJD's claim that Tejashwi's EPIC number has changed is substantiated, it could raise significant concerns regarding procedural integrity and transparency.

The issue has become a focal point in Bihar's political landscape, with BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad, Samrat Choudhary, and RJD spokespersons engaging in fervent disputes over the credibility of the electoral process.

As the Election Commission stands firm in its position and the BJP accuses the opposition of spreading misinformation, the RJD seems intent on transforming the alleged irregularity into a larger campaign issue concerning voter suppression and institutional bias.