Bihar – The Congress party has announced its intention to launch a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the special intensive revision of the Bihar voter roll once there is a change of government at the Centre. The opposition party raised serious questions about the Electoral Commission’s handling of voter list revisions following the publication of the final electoral roll in Bihar.
Congress Casts Doubt on Bihar Voter Roll Revision Process
A day after Bihar’s final electoral roll publication, Congress national spokesman Abhay Dubey issued a strongly worded statement questioning the legitimacy of the special intensive revision (SIR) process. The party alleged that the manner in which the Bihar voter roll revision was conducted raises significant suspicions about the Election Commission’s intentions and methodology.
Dubey emphasized that the Congress would pursue a comprehensive CBI investigation into the Bihar voter roll irregularities once political circumstances at the national level change. The party views the revision process as potentially compromising the integrity of democratic procedures in one of India’s most politically significant states.
Accusations Against Election Commission and Prime Minister
The Congress spokesman directly accused the Election Commission and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misleading the public regarding alleged infiltrators in the Bihar voter roll. Dubey questioned why not a single infiltrator was identified during the revision process despite repeated claims about unauthorized individuals appearing on voter lists.
“Should we conclude that the EC and the PM had been lying to the people of the country?” Dubey asked, challenging the rationale behind the extensive Bihar voter roll revision. The party suggested that claims about infiltrators were used as justification for what it describes as systematic voter suppression.
Allegations of Vote Theft Conspiracy
Taking a confrontational stance, the Congress leader characterized the Bihar voter roll revision as part of a broader conspiracy to steal votes from legitimate citizens. Dubey stated that the alleged conspiracy would be fully exposed through a CBI inquiry once there is governmental change at the central level.
The party’s allegations suggest systematic manipulation of the Bihar voter roll to favor certain political interests while disenfranchising legitimate voters. Congress maintains that only an independent investigation can reveal the full extent of irregularities in the revision process.
Questions About Gender-Based Deletion Patterns
Dubey criticized the Election Commission for failing to disclose whether more female voters than male voters had their names removed from the Bihar voter roll during the special intensive revision. This lack of transparency, according to Congress, raises concerns about potential gender-based discrimination in the deletion process.
The party argues that detailed demographic breakdowns of deletions are essential for ensuring the Bihar voter roll revision was conducted fairly and without bias. The absence of such data, Congress contends, further justifies demands for comprehensive investigation.
Concerns Over 22 Lakh Deletions
The Congress spokesman questioned the verification process used for deleting more than 22 lakh names from the Bihar voter roll. Dubey specifically asked whether Election Commission officials examined death certificates or other official documents before removing these names, or whether deletions were based on unverified information and hearsay.
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This massive deletion figure represents a significant portion of Bihar’s electorate, making the verification methodology crucial to democratic legitimacy. Congress argues that such large-scale removals from the Bihar voter roll demand transparent documentation and justification.
Demand for Detailed Breakdown of New Additions
Beyond deletions, Congress demanded comprehensive information about 21.53 lakh electors added to the Bihar voter roll during the claims and objections phase. Dubey insisted the Election Commission specify how many people registered as first-time voters versus how many had their names restored after wrongful deletion was flagged.
This distinction is critical, according to Congress, for understanding whether the Bihar voter roll revision genuinely improved electoral accuracy or merely shuffled names to achieve predetermined political outcomes. The party maintains that transparency in additions is as important as clarity about deletions.
Call for Nationwide Transparency Standards
Dubey emphasized that since the Election Commission plans to conduct special intensive revisions across the country, it must provide detailed Bihar voter roll data as a precedent for transparency. The Congress leader argued that Bihar should serve as a test case for establishing accountability standards before nationwide implementation.
The party contends that without clear answers regarding the Bihar voter roll revision, extending the process nationally would risk compromising electoral integrity across India. Congress insists that comprehensive disclosure of methodologies, data, and verification processes is non-negotiable.
Political Implications and Future Action
The Congress party’s vow to investigate the Bihar voter roll through CBI once achieving power at the Centre signals its intention to make electoral integrity a major political issue. The party views the Bihar revision as symptomatic of broader concerns about Election Commission independence and fairness under the current government.
Conclusion: Transparency and Accountability Demanded
Congress’s demands regarding the Bihar voter roll revision reflect deeper concerns about electoral fairness and institutional independence. As Bihar prepares for future elections with the revised voter list, opposition parties continue pressing for transparency, detailed documentation, and accountability in processes affecting millions of citizens’ fundamental democratic rights.
