Bihar Voter Rolls Controversy: SC to Hear Petitions on July 10

The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear petitions challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. 

The petitions argue that the ECI's decision may disenfranchise millions of voters, particularly those from marginalised communities.

Documentation Requirements: The ECI requires voters to submit specific documents, but does not accept Aadhaar or voter ID cards, making it difficult for many to comply.

Strict Timeline: The timeline for submitting documents is strict, and failure to comply may result in deletion from the electoral roll, even for those who have voted in elections for years.

Potential Impact: Four crore out of eight crore voters in Bihar may be affected, potentially disenfranchising many citizens.

Petitioners' Arguments:

Arbitrary Cut-off Date: The ECI's decision to attach greater evidentiary value to voters registered before 2003 is arbitrary and may lead to confusion and disputes.

Lack of Clarity: The petitioners argue that the ECI's instructions are unclear and may lead to confusion among voters and electoral officials.

Former Election Commissioner's Views:

Ashok Lavasa: Former EC Ashok Lavasa has questioned the intent behind the ECI's announcement, citing concerns about citizenship checks and voter deletion.

Debate on Citizenship Document*: Lavasa argues that the ECI's decision may amount to a citizenship test, which is not provided for in the Citizenship Act.

Supreme Court's Decision:

Urgent Hearing: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the petitions on July 10, indicating the importance of resolving the issue before the elections.

Potential Impact: The court's decision may have significant implications for the electoral process in Bihar and the voting rights of millions of citizens.

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