Roll Crunch: On the amendment of Bihar’s electoral roll

Elections in India have a large number of voters among the poor and marginalized sections compared to the West, which offer them the best outlets to enter their views when choosing their representatives. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has done the work of increasing voter participation by reducing the registration process, allowing the poor to vote enthusiastically in less developed states. On Saturday, ECI launched a “special intensive modification” of the electoral role Further in Bihar Assembly elections scheduled in OctoberThe purpose of ensuring an accurate electoral roll is constitutionally sound because it involves adding all eligible citizens and eliminating unqualified voters such as dead, who have moved and are also non-citizens. However, hasty timelines for verification and document requirements increase serious concerns about the potential exclusion of real voters. The ECI has said that the draft of Bihar stands close to 7.96 crore voters, till January 1, 2025. It is also said that 4.96 crore persons, who were on the 2003 electoral roll, would not need to present new documents, and for their children, only an extract of 2003 rolls can serve as evidence for their parents. However, the 2003 figure is not stable. A significant number has passed or migrated. The Hindu data point estimates that it is about 1.8 million. Thus, the number of resident elections, living from the 2003 list, is close to 3.16 crores for simplified verification. As a result, the actual figures of those who need to provide new documents for enrollment will be close to 4.74 crores.

These persons will have to prove their electoral position within a month when the draft roll is ready. Their claims and objections will have to be filed within a month after that, which is a very short duration. 11 is challenged by the illustration list of ECI of acceptable documents. Bihar has historically lagged behind in birth registration with very little occupation of birth certificate. Other “official” documents such as matriculation certificates and the ID -issued ID is also low among a large part of the population, especially among the poor and less educated people. The boycott of widely available documents like Aadhaar or current ration card is also surprised as they are more accessible to the marginalized communities of Bihar. Keeping in mind the vastness of exercise, ECI should reconsider its approach. Such an intensive modification should be held in a very extended period, and for all states, and must be completed before the 2029 general election, rather than running it before the assembly elections. The integrity of the electoral process demands caution and time, especially when dealing with the fundamental right of vote.