Summary
- Government declines Opposition’s demand for answers, citing Election Commission’s sole jurisdiction over the voter list revision.
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar sparks protests as 52 lakh names are reportedly missing from the draft rolls.
- Opposition alleges voter suppression and demands PM Modi’s participation in debates on SIR and Operation Sindoor.
A Deepening Political Standoff Over Bihar’s Electoral Rolls
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has escalated into a full-blown political controversy, with Parliament witnessing heated exchanges on Wednesday. The government reiterated that it cannot comment on the issue as the Election Commission (EC) alone is responsible for conducting and managing the revision exercise. This stance further angered Opposition parties, which accused the ruling BJP of attempting to “murder democracy” by selectively removing voters.
For the second consecutive day, Opposition MPs staged demonstrations at Parliament’s Makar Dwar, demanding that the revision process be halted immediately. They argue that the deletion of 52 lakh names from the draft rolls is unprecedented and deeply suspicious, especially with Assembly elections looming later this year. The government, while agreeing to a 16-hour debate on Operation Sindoor, has refused to open discussions on the electoral roll revision during this session.
“52 lakh names missing in Bihar is just the tip of the iceberg. In Maharashtra, 1 crore names added. In Karnataka, theft caught red-handed. Now they’re deleting voters. This is not election — this is fraud. We have proof. We won’t be silent.” – @RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/KCIdmVtF5z
— Maanmohan Singh Pahujaa (@msgpahujaa) July 23, 2025
Election Commission’s Defense of the SIR Exercise
- EC insists that the SIR is a constitutional duty conducted under established guidelines.
- Officials claim the 52 lakh deletions include names of deceased individuals, migrants, or voters registered in multiple constituencies.
- The poll body maintains that all eligible voters will have the opportunity to be re-added before the final electoral roll is published.
The EC has pushed back against criticism, asserting that the revision is aimed at improving the accuracy of voter rolls and eliminating duplications or invalid entries. The Commission has also emphasized that the draft list is not final and that provisions exist for appeals and corrections.
However, Opposition leaders remain unconvinced. Congress MP Manoj Tiwari denounced the exercise as a deliberate “vote-bandi” tactic designed to disenfranchise key voter blocs. Senior leader Gaurav Gogoi demanded that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah provide clarity on both the SIR and the government’s stance on Operation Sindoor.
Opposition’s Allegations and Political Implications
- Congress and other INDIA bloc parties accuse the BJP of using the SIR as a tool for electoral engineering in Bihar.
- The timing of the voter roll revision, just months before the Assembly elections, is viewed as a calculated political move.
- Opposition leaders are rallying public opinion, warning that the large-scale name removals are an assault on democratic rights.
The Opposition has linked the SIR issue to broader grievances about the BJP’s governance style, particularly in states like Haryana and Maharashtra, where they allege voter suppression has occurred in various forms. The demand for a parliamentary debate on SIR has grown louder, with calls for judicial scrutiny if necessary.
A Critical Juncture in Bihar’s Political Landscape
The controversy over Bihar’s voter list revision is unfolding against the backdrop of a high-stakes electoral battle. With 52 lakh names missing from the draft rolls, the credibility of the upcoming Assembly elections is being questioned. The BJP, which faces a resurgent Opposition in Bihar, is now under pressure to counter the narrative that it is undermining democratic processes.
If the EC’s assurances fail to restore public confidence, the issue could snowball into a larger political crisis, with potential legal interventions from the Supreme Court. As the standoff intensifies, all eyes remain on Prime Minister Modi’s response — or silence — on this contentious matter.
