Parliament Monsoon Session: Opposition MPs raise alarm over Bihar’s electoral roll revision

Whereas Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh gave a notice of motion to discuss the "constitutional and electoral implications" of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar in the upper house of the Parliament. 

The notice, which was put up on the table of the chairman for further discussion, reads, "I would like to draw the attention of this House to a very serious and sensitive issue relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process currently being conducted by the Election Commission of India in the State of Bihar. While regular and transparent revision of electoral rolls is the cornerstone of a democratic system, the nature of this process being adopted in Bihar appears to be worrisome and inequality-promoting at many levels, especially when we see it in the backdrop of the upcoming Assembly elections in the year 2025," as cited by news agency ANI. 

"Therefore, I humbly request you to adjourn all proceedings of the House under Rule 267 and discuss this very important issue so that the right to vote of citizens can be protected," the notice further added.

To discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, Congress's Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has also given a ‘Suspension of Business Notice’ under rule 267. 

The notice put up on the table of the upper house highlights that "this House suspend Zero Hour and the relevant rules pertaining to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, followed by a plan to conduct similar exercises nationwide, including in West Bengal, where high levels of migration, displacement, and documentation-related vulnerabilities persist. Such actions raise grave apprehensions about the disenfranchisement of a large section of the poor and marginalised," as per news agency ANI.

Moreover, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain has also requested the suspension of Zero Hour and Question Hour to discuss the concerns regarding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision Exercise in Bihar.

The Congress MP also asserted in the notice that "these exercises raise serious concerns about the exclusion of already precarious communities from the electoral rolls, particularly in the absence of adequate safeguards, transparency, and due process in their implementation."

Ranjeet Ranjan, a Congress Member of Parliament, has also submitted a notice of motion to address the concerns that have arisen in relation to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar and its potential expansion to states like West Bengal.

Congress MP Ranjan’s notice stated that "These exercises raise serious concerns regarding the potential disenfranchisement of vulnerable sections of society, who are likely to face significant challenges in complying with the Election Commission's directives within a limited timeframe," as per ANI.

Bihar became the first state in the country to have all polling stations (PS) with less than 1,200 electors on Monday, according to an official statement from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The Election Commission of India report also highlighted that Bihar SIR covered a total of 96.23 per cent of electors. To date, 5.56 per cent of electors have not been located at their addresses.

(With ANI Inputs)

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!