The opposition INDIA block has called the large-scale revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar as 'vote bandi'. A delegation of 11 parties of the INDIA block met the Election Commission on Wednesday regarding this.
The delegation of the INDIA block reached the Election Commission's Delhi office Nirvachan Sadan on Wednesday. This delegation included leaders of Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, NCP (Sharad Pawar group) and Samajwadi Party. The delegation said that the Election Commission told them that only two representatives from each party would be allowed inside.
Such restrictions cannot lead to necessary dialogue: Singhvi
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, 'For the first time we were told the rules for entering the Election Commission. For the first time it was said that only party heads can go inside. Such restrictions cannot lead to necessary dialogue between political parties and the Election Commission. Today only two people were allowed from each party, due to which leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Pawan Khera and Akhilesh Singh were left standing outside.'
Our concerns have increased even more: Bhattacharya
CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said, 'After meeting the Election Commission, our concerns have increased even more, because the Commission did not give a satisfactory answer to any of our questions.'
Foundation of our democratic system have weakened: Ramesh
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote in X post - 'Today the representatives of the INDIA alliance met the Election Commission on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process going on in Bihar. The Commission had to hold this meeting under compulsion, because earlier they had refused to meet. The Commission allowed only two representatives from each party to enter. I also had to sit in the waiting room for about two hours.'
He further wrote- 'The way the Election Commission (ECI) has worked in the last 6 months has weakened the foundation of our democratic system. The Election Commission is a constitutional institution. It cannot repeatedly reject the opposition's demand for a hearing. It has to follow the principles and provisions of the Constitution.'
Just as the Prime Minister's November 2016 'demonetisation' ruined our economy, the Election Commission's 'vote ban' - which is appearing as SIR in Bihar and other states - will destroy our democracy.
What EC said?
After the meeting, the Election Commission issued a statement saying that Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is being done as per the provisions of the Constitution and the law and we have responded to whatever concerns were raised by the leaders of political parties.
The Election Commission said that the process of SIR is being done as per Article 326 of the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act 1950 and the instructions issued on 24.06.2025. As far as allowing only two representatives from each party is concerned, this was done to listen to different views and maintain balance.
Elections are to be held in Bihar in October-November this year. Before this, the Election Commission is carrying out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program in Bihar. Under this, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will go to every house and verify the voters. Only those who fill the prescribed form and submit it to the BLO will be included in the draft voter list. Those whose verification is not done by July 25, their names can be removed from the voter list.
Prakash Kumar Pandey