Bihar Special Intensive Revision of Voter List: Election Commission's affidavit in Supreme Court, what update it gave on 65 lakh voters
A big update has come out regarding more than 65 lakh names removed from the voter list in Bihar. The Election Commission filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that the names and details of all these voters have been uploaded on the website of 38 District Election Officers of the state. The Commission also clarified that the reasons behind the removal of names are death, change of residence and duplicate entries. The matter will be heard again in the Supreme Court today.
The Election Commission informed that physical copies of the voter list have been displayed in Panchayat Bhawans, Block Development Offices and Panchayat Offices of Bihar. Apart from this, extensive publicity has been done through leading newspapers, radio, TV and social media about online availability. The Commission has assured the Supreme Court that no eligible voter will be removed from the list without prior notice and opportunity to be heard. The last date for filing a claim has been fixed as September 1.
Supreme Court issued direction on Aug 14
On August 14, the Supreme Court had directed that the list of removed voters be made available online along with the reason. In compliance with this, the Election Commission filed an affidavit stating that the booth-wise list has been uploaded on the website, in which names can be searched by EPIC number. The Commission also said that the aggrieved persons can submit their claims with a copy of the Aadhar card. Both online and print options are available for the claim process.
7.89 crore voters were scrutinized under SIR
A total of 7.89 crore voters were scrutinized under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign in Bihar. In this, 7.24 crore people confirmed their names or submitted forms. The Commission said that the main reasons for removal of names were death, transfer of normal residence and duplicate entries. The draft list was published on August 1 and the time for filing objections has been fixed from August 1 to September 1. The Commission says that strict steps are being taken to include the name of every eligible voter in the final list.
Prakash Kumar Pandey