The Election Commission has clarified its stance on questions raised regarding the verification of voter lists before the 2025 Bihar elections, stating that it is a process ongoing for 75 years and essential for transparency.
Bihar Election 2025: The Election Commission has clarified its position regarding the questions being raised about the verification of voter lists in Bihar before the 2025 assembly elections. The Commission states that this process is not new, but rather a part of a continuous system that has been in place for 75 years. The last comprehensive verification in Bihar took place in 2003. While some political parties are opposing the current verification, many public representatives are supporting it.
Why is the voter list verification being conducted?
According to the Election Commission, verification of the voter list is necessary to ensure that only eligible citizens are included as voters. This is a regular process that ensures that no ineligible person can misuse the right to vote. Furthermore, a comprehensive revision had not been done in Bihar for 22 years, making this necessary.
Intensive revision is taking place for the first time since 2003
The last in-depth voter list verification in Bihar was conducted in 2003. While there were a total of nine in-depth verifications across the country from 1952 to 2004, meaning once every six years, no such comprehensive campaign was undertaken in Bihar for 22 years. In this context, this verification has become a need of the hour.
What are the main reasons for the verification?
Migration and Duplicate EPIC: Many citizens have retained their old voter identification cards (EPIC) despite migrating from one place to another. Whether intentional or unintentional, this is a violation of the law. Identification of such cases is essential.
Problem of Old Photos: In many EPIC cards, the photographs of the voters have become so old that identification has become difficult. In such cases, new photos are being updated to facilitate the identification process.
Entry of Ineligible Citizens: Due to the absence of verification since 2003, many ineligible individuals have obtained EPICs. They do not possess valid documents related to eligibility. Such people can be removed from the list through this verification process.
Example of Political Support
Rajesh Kumar Singh Kushwaha, a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA from the Hathua assembly constituency, has publicly supported the verification process initiated by the Election Commission. He issued a leaflet appealing to people to participate actively in it. He said that this process is a necessary step towards making the voter list transparent.
Priority Given to the Issue of Migrants
According to information received by the Election Commission, the number of migrant voters in some constituencies has exceeded the margin of victory. This can raise questions about the integrity of democracy. According to the 2011 census, there were 31 crore migrants in the country, and this number is estimated to have increased to 45 crore by 2021. In such a scenario, it is essential to ensure their correct identification and the validity of EPICs.
