The voter list update process in Bihar has sparked serious concerns among opposition parties. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has charged the Election Commission of acting under the pressure of the BJP. He fears that the revision could unfairly remove the names of poor and backward-class voters.
During a joint press conference on Sunday, Tejashwi said that 90% of voters belong to underprivileged backgrounds. They can take away their food but not their right to vote. He warned that if even 1% of Bihar’s 7.9 crore voters are left out, it could lead to the removal of over 3,000 voters per assembly constituency. That, he says, is enough to swing the results in dozens of seats.
How It May Influence the 2025 Elections
The difference between winning and losing in 35 constituencies during the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections was less than 3,000 votes. The difference was less than 5,000 in 52 other seats. Losing even a little portion of the electorate, Tejashwi underlined, could affect results in several crucial areas.
He called for transparency and demanded a live dashboard showing the number of forms submitted and verified in each assembly seat. He asked why the Election Commission was not making this data public. He also questioned the Commission’s recent claim that over 80% of voter verification forms had already been submitted, calling it misleading.
Fake Forms and Missing BLOs?
Tejashwi went a step further, alleging that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were uploading forms with fake signatures or thumbprints without the voters’ knowledge. He shared videos and news clips as evidence during the press meet. According to him, BLOs and other officials are under pressure to hit a quota and upload at least 50% of forms, even if it means cutting corners.
He also questioned the involvement of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from opposing parties, arguing they are not being permitted to appropriately engage in the verification procedure. He was wondering whether they were just providing a illusion of formalism or really following the procedures.
Tejashwi explained that his party is keeping a close eye on what is being practiced on the ground, particularly as the Election Commission has not issued a new guideline yet although the Supreme Court had urged greater flexibility in accepting documents.
Congress and VIP Echo Concerns
Tejashwi was not alone in raising concerns. Congress state president Rajesh Ram said the Commission’s tall claims are far from reality. He said that although it’s claimed 1.5 lakh BLOs have been appointed, they’re nowhere to be seen on the ground.
He accused the Commission of releasing inflated data while failing to maintain transparency. According to him, there are major gaps between what the Commission is claiming and what’s actually happening on the ground.
‘Voter Ban’ Hurting the Common People
Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) founder Mukesh Sahni also demanded that the voter list revision process be stopped immediately. He compared the situation to demonetization, saying people are now facing similar troubles due to this “voter ban.”
Sahni warned that the sudden and poorly planned revision is causing serious trouble for the poor and backward communities. He shared that even though he was in Patna, his form was submitted without his knowledge, adding that if it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone.
The voter roll renewal has kicked up a political controversy in Bihar. With elections looming close, the opposition dreads that even a minor revision can alter the game of power. As parties protest on the issue of impartiality, everyone now looks up to the Election Commission to react and reestablish faith among the people in the electoral process.