The Bihar Roll Revision and the Rising Political Tensions
The recent roll revision initiated by the Election Commission (EC) in Bihar, just before the elections, has sparked significant concern and is threatening to escalate into a major political crisis. The opposition has raised alarms, warning that the move could disenfranchise millions of voters. Prominent figures such as Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Rahul Gandhi of the Congress have joined forces to oppose the revision, labeling it as a “vote steal.”
Several legal petitions have been filed against the process, citing procedural flaws and an unreasonably short timeline for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Even allies of the Modi government, including Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who is contesting the Bihar assembly election, have expressed concerns about what appears to be an overreach by the EC.
A Question of Fairness and Constitutionality
The core issue at hand revolves around the stringent identity requirements imposed by the EC. Documents such as Aadhaar and ration cards, which were previously accepted, are now excluded. Critics argue that this shift places an undue burden on voters to prove their eligibility, effectively shifting responsibility from the state to the individual.
The opposition claims that Article 326 of the Constitution is being violated, as voters are required to provide birth certificates for themselves and their parents to establish citizenship. Failure to do so may result in their names being removed from the electoral rolls.
In Bihar, one of India’s poorest states with high levels of migration and low literacy rates, obtaining such documentation is nearly impossible for many of the most vulnerable voters, particularly those from Dalit, Maha Dalit, and Ati Pichhada communities. These groups form the core support base of the opposition, raising concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming November elections.
Impact on Millions and Allegations of Bias
An estimated 30 million voters could be affected by this revision, leading to allegations that the move is a premeditated attempt to manipulate the election outcome. The backlash is not limited to any particular caste group; even upper-caste voters, traditionally BJP supporters, have voiced discontent over the extensive documentation requirements.
Raghunath Jha of Patna told Gulf News, “They expect nearly 40 to 50 documents. How are we supposed to put them together so quickly?” With nearly 40% of Biharis working outside the state, getting them to return to their hometowns to submit these documents is proving to be a monumental task.
The Role of Aadhaar and Institutional Credibility
The exclusion of the Aadhaar card, a biometric identity document introduced by the BJP government, has further fueled controversy. It has been widely used for voter ID verification and is essential for accessing most government services. The sudden decision by the EC to exclude it for this purpose remains unexplained.
This change has united an otherwise fragmented opposition against both the EC and the BJP. Even Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) is part of the BJP-led alliance, is said to have privately expressed concerns, warning that the move could backfire politically.
Risk of Mass Protests and Political Mobilisation
Bihar’s electorate is politically aware and fiercely protective of its voting rights. The EC’s actions risk sparking mass protests, with reports of anger and mobilisation already emerging in rural areas.
The EC announced the electoral roll revision in June 2024, aiming to ensure only eligible citizens remain on the rolls. Anyone not listed in the 2003 rolls — an estimated 30 million people — must now submit at least one of 11 specified documents to prove eligibility.
A senior RJD leader told Gulf News: “We can’t allow this to happen. The BJP is desperate to come to power in Bihar, abandon Nitish Kumar, and is now using the ‘neutral umpire’ as an extra player. We won’t play this match if they get an extra player. We will launch a mass movement to stop this vote steal.”
While a large-scale movement may be challenging for the opposition, particularly for the Congress, the RJD has a strong presence in Bihar capable of mobilising large numbers of people.
Safeguarding Institutional Credibility
The EC must act swiftly to protect its institutional credibility, which is a cornerstone of Indian democracy. Recent developments have cast doubt on this trust, and some of the opposition’s criticisms appear to be well-founded. The challenge now lies in ensuring that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive for all voters.
