Bihar Electoral Roll Evaluate: ADR Approaches Supreme Courtroom, Calls Transfer ‘Unconstitutional’
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The Election Fee of India on Saturday mentioned that the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is progressing at a strong tempo
ADR cautions that the SIR would possibly disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters and disrupt the free and truthful elections, a elementary a part of the Structure. File pic/PTI
The Affiliation for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a key NGO targeted on electoral reforms, has filed a petition within the Supreme Courtroom towards the Election Fee of India’s directive for a “Particular Intensive Revision” (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. Filed by Advocate Prashant Bhushan on Friday, ADR labels the ECI’s directive “unconstitutional”, cautioning that it’d disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters and disrupt the free and truthful elections, a elementary a part of the Structure.
The NGO’s petition factors out points similar to “lack of due course of” and “the unreasonably quick timeline” concerning the ECI’s order, dated June 24. ADR argues that this directive unfairly shifts the burden of proving eligibility from the state to particular person residents. The petition emphasises that the SIR calls for stringent documentation, typically excluding generally held identification paperwork like Aadhaar playing cards or ration playing cards. This exclusion significantly impacts marginalised communities, together with Muslims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and migrant employees, who typically don’t possess extra formal paperwork similar to beginning certificates or parental information.
ADR estimates that over three crore voters, particularly from weak sections of society, rural areas, or those that have migrated, might be excluded from the electoral rolls because of these rigorous necessities and the restricted time for compliance. The NGO argues that the ECI’s order violates elementary rights protected beneath Articles 14 (equality earlier than regulation), 19 (freedom of speech and expression), 21 (safety of life and private liberty), 325 (no particular person to be ineligible for inclusion in, or to say to be included in a particular electoral roll on grounds of faith, race, caste, or intercourse), and 326 (common grownup franchise) of the Structure. It additionally asserts violations of provisions of the Illustration of the Folks Act, 1950, and Rule 21A of the Registration of Electors Guidelines, 1960.
ADR’s authorized problem follows comparable objections raised by a delegation of 11 opposition events, who met the Election Fee on Wednesday, to protest the identical electoral revision, famously calling it “Votebandi”. The opposition voiced issues that this train may threaten democracy in Bihar.
ADR’s petition reinforces these apprehensions, looking for to overturn the ECI’s order and calling for a direct halt to its implementation. ADR stresses that such a drastic measure is pointless, particularly since a Particular Abstract Revision was already performed between October 2024 and January 2025. The Supreme Courtroom is anticipated to listen to the petition quickly, with the electoral way forward for hundreds of thousands hanging within the steadiness forward of the crucial Bihar meeting elections.
The Election Fee of India (ECI) on Saturday mentioned that the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is progressing at a strong tempo, with in depth participation from electoral officers, political get together representatives, and hundreds of volunteers working on the grassroots degree to make sure no eligible voter is overlooked.
In accordance with an official assertion from the Fee, as of 6 pm on Saturday, a complete of 1,04,16,545 enumeration kinds had been obtained—13.19 per cent of the full 7,89,69,844 registered electors in Bihar as of June 24, 2025.
The share of enumeration kinds distributed has reached 93.57 per cent, with 7,38,89,333 kinds already handed out.
The ECI highlighted the tireless efforts of 77,895 Sales space Degree Officers (BLOs) who’re going door-to-door, aiding electors in filling and submitting their enumeration kinds. In lots of situations, BLOs are additionally capturing stay images of electors utilizing cell units, serving to them keep away from the effort of visiting photograph studios.
To facilitate ease of entry, partially stuffed kinds can be found for obtain on the ECI’s voter portal, https://voters.eci.gov.in, and the ECINET app, the place electors also can add the finished kinds themselves.
Along with the prevailing workforce, 20,603 extra BLOs are being deployed to make sure the well timed and easy completion of the revision course of.
The marketing campaign can be being supported by practically 4 lakh volunteers, together with authorities officers, NCC cadets, and NSS members, who’re aiding weak teams such because the aged, individuals with disabilities (PwDs), the ailing, and others with mobility challenges.
The method is being intently monitored and facilitated by 239 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 963 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar.
Political events are additionally taking part in a key function within the course of, the ECI mentioned, including a complete of 1,54,977 Sales space Degree Brokers (BLAs) appointed by numerous events are actively supporting the SIR train by coordinating with BLOs and serving to electors.
(With company inputs)
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