Bihar Voter List Purge Sparks Supreme Court Battle

A contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, ahead of the state assembly election, faces scrutiny in the Supreme Court today. A two-judge bench will hear petitions claiming the Election Commission’s exercise risks disenfranchising voters, potentially favoring the ruling BJP-led alliance.

Petitioners argue the SIR could exclude legitimate voters due to insufficient documentation. Opposition parties, including Congress, RJD, CPI(ML) Liberation, and CPM, allege the process targets anti-BJP voters, with Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi labeling it a “citizenship test” and questioning its legality. “This is not political obstinacy or institutional arrogance. Reconsider it,” Singhvi urged at a joint press conference.

The Election Commission defends the SIR as a constitutional duty to clean the voter list, citing 22 lakh deceased voters, 36 lakh who have migrated or are untraceable, and 7 lakh with multiple registrations. The Commission insists no names will be removed without due process, with a month-long window for objections after the draft list’s publication on August 1.

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The Supreme Court has directed the Commission to consider Aadhaar, Electoral Photo Identity Cards, and ration cards for verification, noting these are foundational for obtaining other required documents like residence or caste certificates. However, the Commission argues these documents are prone to forgery, complicating the verification process.

As Bihar gears up for elections, the SIR controversy has ignited debates over voter rights and electoral fairness, with the Supreme Court’s ruling set to shape the state’s political landscape.

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