In the process of conducting a door-to-door survey for Special Intensive Revision, booth-level officials had an unexpected discovery. The survey revealed that numerous individuals from Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh are residing in the poll-bound state. This situation has gained more momentum as Bihar is preparing for the upcoming elections.
These individuals are reported to have acquired documents like Aadhar, domicile certificates and ration cards likely through unlawful means.
Special Intensive Revision of the voters list was launched on June 24 in order to add potential voters into the voters list and subsequently weed out ineligible voters.
The Election Commission has stated rapid urbanisation, frequent migration, newly eligible voters, unreported deaths etc. - as the main reasons behind initiation of a Special Intensive Revision since 2003.
Furthermore, the Election Commission will not be including the names of the people labelled as illegal migrants in the voters list which is set to be published on September 30. A thorough process will be established after August 1 to determine citizenship status of those booked.
The issue has been taken to the Supreme Court. Several petitions have been filed against EC’s decision to revise voters list. Among the key petitioners are RJD MP Manoj Jha, the Association for Democratic Reforms, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, activist Yogendra Yadav and former legislator Mujahid Alam. Trinamool Congress’ Mahua Moitra is also present as a petitioner.
On Friday, SC upheld EC’s right to exercise a nationwide Special Intensive Revision for voters list but asserted Aadhar, voter ID and ration cards as valid documents for verification in the current process.
(Source: TOI, NDTV)
