Months before the Assembly elections in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a 'special intensive revision' of the electoral rolls on June 28. Critics argue that this move threatens the fundamental democratic principle of universal adult suffrage in India. This initiative mandates that approximately 2.93 crore voters must present documentary evidence of their birth and parental origins. Opposition parties have drawn parallels to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), warning that this extensive verification could lead to widespread disenfranchisement.Bihar's electorate consists of around 7.89 crore voters, with 4.96 crore already registered as of 2003. For these individuals, the verification process is relatively simple, requiring only name confirmation and form submission. However, the remaining 2.93 crore voters face a more complicated situation. Those whose names were omitted during the last revision in 2003 must now provide valid proof of their birth details and those of their parents, including their place of origin. This shift places the burden of proof squarely on the voters, marking a significant change from past practices. By making voters responsible for proving their eligibility without access to necessary documents or legal assistance, the process transforms a fundamental right into a daunting challenge.
Voters born before July 1, 1987, must present documents verifying their date and place of birth. Those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, need to provide similar documentation along with proof of identity for one parent. For individuals born after December 2, 2004, documentation for both parents is required. In a country where obtaining official records can be challenging—particularly for rural, low-income, and migrant populations—these requirements could disenfranchise many.
The ECI has defended this initiative as a Constitutional duty, asserting that the intensive review aims to identify and exclude illegal foreign migrants by verifying their place of birth, ensuring that only Indian citizens are included. This initiative is set to expand to other states, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, where elections are scheduled for 2026, amid ongoing crackdowns on illegal migrants, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Opposition parties have accused the ruling BJP and the ECI of attempting to manipulate electoral outcomes under the guise of administrative efficiency. They have condemned this initiative as a Nazi-like effort to trace ancestry and infringe upon democratic rights. The Congress party has expressed concerns about the potential for “deliberate exclusion” of Muslim and Dalit communities from the voter list through the misuse of government resources.
Despite these criticisms, the ECI, which some perceive as increasingly aligned with the ruling government, must clarify its stance on this initiative. Failure to do so could undermine public trust in this Constitutional body and jeopardize the integrity of India's democracy.Is Bihar' s Voter Roll Revision a Threat to Democracy ? Opposition Voices Concerns