EC Ignored 89 Lakh Complaints: Congress Demands A Fresh SIR In Bihar

The Congress party has intensified its criticism of the Election Commission, demanding a repeat of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Senior leader Pawan Khera accused the poll panel of ignoring nearly 89 lakh complaints submitted by Booth Level Agents (BLAs). He claimed these irregularities cast doubt on the Election Commission's intentions.

Allegations Against Election Commission

During a press conference in Patna, Pawan Khera alleged that the Election Commission told Congress workers only individuals could file complaints, not political parties. This statement came after the party's BLAs flagged numerous irregularities during the SIR process. Khera stated, "Congress demands that SIR be conducted again, as 'large-scale irregularities' cast a doubt on EC's intention."

Complaints and Responses

Pawan Khera further highlighted that despite submitting 89 lakh complaints regarding irregularities in the SIR, the Election Commission ignored them. He mentioned that news was being spread through sources claiming no complaints were coming from political parties. However, he insisted that Congress had indeed submitted these complaints to the EC.

Opposition's Concerns

The SIR exercise in Bihar has faced criticism from various opposition parties within the INDIA bloc. They have approached the Supreme Court, expressing concerns that the current process might disenfranchise millions, especially from marginalised communities due to missing names and lack of proper notice.

'Voter Adhikar Yatra'

In response to these issues, Congress MP Gandhi launched the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' on August 17 from Sasaram in Rohtas district. Supported by all constituents of the INDIA bloc, this yatra aims to protest against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and will conclude in Patna on September 1.

Meanwhile, according to the Election Commission, it received around 1.98 lakh pleas from individuals requesting exclusion of names from voters' lists during this revision process. Additionally, approximately 30,000 pleas were received for name inclusion. The draft electoral rolls were published on August 1 and remain open for claims and objections until September 1.

The controversy surrounding Bihar's SIR highlights significant concerns over electoral processes and representation. As political tensions rise, all eyes are on how these issues will be resolved to ensure fair elections for all communities involved.