New Delhi: A political storm is gathering around the Election Commission of India’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, as opposition leaders intensify their accusations of systematic voter disenfranchisement, procedural opacity, and constitutional disregard.
Leading the charge, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh drew a sharp parallel between the 2016 demonetisation and the current electoral roll revision, branding the exercise as “Vote-Bandi,” a move he claims could permanently damage the fabric of Indian democracy. According to Ramesh, the ECI’s actions over the last six months have undermined not just the Opposition’s role but the very foundations of the electoral process.
The Congress delegation—part of a larger group representing 11 opposition parties under the INDIA bloc—met the Commission after what Ramesh described as resistance from the poll body, which initially restricted entry to only two members per party. “The Election Commission cannot behave like a gatekeeper of power. It is a constitutional institution, not a private club,” he said, adding that the restriction on participation reflects the Commission’s growing detachment from democratic norms.
During the meeting, the opposition voiced alarm that the SIR is being used not to clean the voter rolls but to manipulate the electoral base in favour of the ruling alliance. Leaders questioned the timing of the exercise, conducted just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, and pointed out the socio-economic burden placed on the state’s poor and marginalised, who are being asked to produce documents like birth certificates and parental IDs—many of which are simply unavailable to migrant families or those affected by natural disasters like floods.
The ECI, for its part, defended the revision, stating it is in accordance with Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It claimed that the process is aimed at removing ineligible voters and ensuring every eligible citizen is enrolled. It also emphasised that vulnerable populations, including the elderly and economically disadvantaged, would be assisted throughout the process.
But the opposition isn’t convinced. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Commission of working as an extension of the Modi government, alleging that the SIR is merely the first step in a broader plan to weaken the Opposition’s vote bank. “This is not about verification. It is about exclusion, and once votes are taken away, pensions and rations will follow,” he said, even suggesting that the Centre could impose President’s Rule in Bihar if the ruling NDA fails to gain electoral traction.
CPI(ML) and other Left parties have similarly accused the EC of acting unilaterally and undermining its own credibility. The phrase “Modi ka Commission” has begun circulating in opposition speeches and social media posts, suggesting a perception that the EC has lost its neutrality.
Critics also note the procedural inconsistencies in the SIR process. While the Commission claims transparency, there remains confusion about acceptable documentation, clarity on deadlines, and the readiness of ground-level staff such as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to handle the massive verification task. Leaders also pointed out the EC’s failure to conduct prior consultations before launching the exercise—an omission they view as intentional and deeply political.
Despite the EC’s assurances, trust in the institution appears to be eroding among large sections of the opposition and civil society. The situation in Bihar is now being watched as a litmus test for the ECI’s credibility ahead of the 2025 Assembly polls and the 2026 general revision of electoral rolls across the country.
