Supreme Court Grills Election Commission Over Bihar Voter List Secrecy
ECI faces scrutiny for withholding names of deceased or relocated voters amid political disputes over EVM reliability.
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday pressed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explain its reluctance to disclose the names of individuals removed from Bihar’s electoral rolls due to death, migration, or relocation to other constituencies. The query arose during a hearing on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, where the ECI found itself entangled in political controversies.
The ECI highlighted a recurring pattern in political rhetoric, stating, “If a political party wins, electronic voting machines (EVMs) are praised, but if they lose, EVMs are suddenly deemed faulty.” This remark underscored the commission’s frustration with being caught in the crossfire of partisan disputes over electoral integrity.
The court’s pointed question centered on the ECI’s transparency, asking why it could not publicly release the names of voters removed from the rolls. The ECI responded that such details had already been shared with political parties in Bihar, suggesting that the information was accessible to relevant stakeholders. However, the court’s inquiry signals ongoing concerns about the clarity and openness of the electoral process in the state.
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As debates over EVM reliability and voter list accuracy persist, the Supreme Court’s scrutiny underscores the need for greater transparency to maintain public trust in India’s democratic framework.
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