Qalam Times News Network
Patna 06.07.2025

Bihar gears up for its upcoming assembly elections, a major controversy has erupted over the revision of the state’s voter list. Amid mounting political pressure and public concern, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has eased the requirements for voter registration, allowing forms to be submitted without accompanying documents.

ECI Softens Stance on Bihar Voter list 

In response to the widespread backlash, the Election Commission has announced that voters can now submit registration forms to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) without attaching photo identification or other supporting documents. This change is aimed at simplifying the process and addressing accessibility issues raised by various stakeholders.

An official advertisement published across Bihar’s leading newspapers clarified that forms submitted without photographs or documentation will still be accepted. Voters have been given time until after July 25 to upload the necessary documents, offering relief to those facing immediate difficulties.

According to the latest figures, around 14% of Bihar’s eligible voters have submitted their forms as of Saturday evening. Despite the new relaxations, the overall process has been marred by distrust. Critics argue that the matter now reflects a deeper erosion of confidence in the electoral system itself, rather than merely an issue of documentation.

At the center of the dispute is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The ECI had earlier mandated a strict deadline of July 25 for form submission, along with a list of 11 approved documents to establish identity and citizenship. Opposition parties have opposed these requirements, demanding the inclusion of widely used documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and MGNREGA job cards, which are more accessible, especially in rural households.

Political opposition has raised alarm that the current revision process could result in the disenfranchisement of a large number of voters—particularly from marginalised and rural backgrounds. Leaders argue that this could skew the electoral playing field ahead of the elections by excluding critical voter segments.

While the Election Commission’s latest step may ease some immediate concerns, the underlying tensions over the integrity and inclusivity of the voter registration process persist.

Mahua Moitra Moves Supreme Court Against ECI order 

Adding a new dimension to the growing controversy, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission’s order dated June 24, 2025, which initiated the SIR process in Bihar. The petition seeks to quash the directive on constitutional grounds, arguing that it violates Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution, along with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Moitra’s plea also calls for a nationwide injunction against similar revision exercises in other states, warning that such measures could pave the way for widespread voter disenfranchisement and damage the democratic framework of the country.

‘Citizenship Proof’ Clause Faces Heat

According to the petition, the impugned order demands voters to provide documents proving their own or their parents’ citizenship for inclusion in or retention on the voter roll. Moitra argues that this requirement imposes additional and unconstitutional conditions that are not envisioned by the Constitution or existing electoral laws.

She further claims that commonly accepted identity documents such as Aadhaar and ration cards have been arbitrarily excluded, placing an undue burden on the electorate. Field reports from Bihar indicate that lakhs of people—particularly those from disadvantaged communities—are at risk of being excluded from the voter rolls due to these stringent criteria.

Fears of NRC-style Exclusion

The petition likens the ECI’s approach to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process, which has faced significant criticism for its impact on vulnerable groups. Moitra contends that Paragraph 13 of the ECI order, which mandates exclusion from the draft voter list if revised forms are not submitted by July 25, offers no meaningful procedural safeguards.

Highlighting the urgency, the petition notes that voters who have participated in multiple elections are now being forced to re-establish their eligibility—a move she calls both arbitrary and irrational. Furthermore, the short deadline may leave many unable to comply, especially in remote or under-resourced areas.

Moitra has also warned that a similar process is reportedly being planned for West Bengal starting in August 2025, raising concerns of a broader national policy shift. The petition has been filed through Advocate Neha Rathi.

What Lies Ahead

With Bihar’s assembly elections approaching, the controversy surrounding the voter roll revision shows no sign of abating. While the Election Commission’s relaxed guidelines may offer temporary relief, questions about transparency, inclusion, and constitutional validity remain unresolved. The matter now rests with the Supreme Court, whose decision could shape the course of voter registration processes across the country.