INDIA Bloc Marches to Election Commission Over Bihar Voter List Concerns
New Delhi, August 11, 2025 – The INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, staged a protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission of India (ECI) today, raising serious allegations of voter fraud and discrepancies in Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for 2025. The march, which saw participation from nearly 300 opposition MPs, was halted by Delhi Police, leading to dramatic scenes as two MPs, Mitali Bag and Mahua Moitra, reportedly fainted during the protest.
The opposition’s primary grievance centers on the ECI’s handling of the voter list revision in Bihar, a state gearing up for its assembly elections. The INDIA bloc claims the SIR process lacks transparency and has led to the removal of legitimate voters’ names while allowing duplications, potentially skewing the electoral process. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the ECI of facilitating “vote chori” (vote theft), prompting a sharp rebuttal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which challenged him to provide evidence of “fake electors.”
The march began at 11:30 AM from Makar Dwar at Parliament House, with MPs from parties including Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and others, aiming to reach the ECI office at Nirvachan Sadan via Transport Bhawan. However, Delhi Police intervened, citing security concerns, which led to a sit-in protest on the streets. The opposition condemned the police action, with leaders like Digvijaya Singh calling it an infringement on their democratic rights.
The ECI has defended the SIR process, stating it is a routine exercise to ensure the accuracy of voter lists. However, the opposition argues that the process, especially in Bihar, raises questions about the integrity of India’s democratic framework. They have demanded a thorough investigation and greater transparency in voter list management.
This protest comes amidst heightened political tensions, with the BJP accusing the opposition of politicizing routine electoral processes. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an event in New Delhi, took a veiled jab at the opposition, emphasizing the government’s focus on development, such as the inauguration of 184 new Type-VII flats for MPs.
As Bihar’s assembly elections approach, the controversy over the voter list is likely to intensify, with both sides digging in their heels. The INDIA bloc has vowed to continue its agitation, while the ECI faces mounting pressure to address the concerns and restore public confidence in the electoral process.
