US EditionADR Moves Supreme Court Against ECI’s Directive to Bihar Voter Roll Revision, Cites ‘Risk of Mass Disenfranchisement’
BIHAR, INDIA, JUL 5 – About 37% of Bihar's 7.89 crore voters must submit detailed birth and residence documents under a special revision criticized for risking exclusion of marginalized groups.
- On July 4, 2025, the Association of Democratic Reforms filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing the Election Commission of India's June 24 directive to conduct an extensive update of the voter lists in Bihar.
- The challenge arises from concerns that the directive shifts the burden of voter inclusion onto citizens, especially marginalised groups lacking proper documentation amid upcoming November 2025 elections.
- This revision requires proof of birth and citizenship documents not including Aadhaar or ration cards, and mandates submission by July 25, with names deleted without notice if not complied with.
- The petition contends that the Election Commission’s directive breaches multiple constitutional provisions, including rights related to equality, freedom, and voting, as well as electoral regulations. It warns that the order, implemented without adequate procedural safeguards, risks improperly removing millions of legitimate voters from the rolls, effectively disenfranchising them.
- The Supreme Court will soon take up the case, as civil rights organizations call on the Election Commission to ensure that vulnerable voters are not excluded amidst the rapid, document-focused revision process.
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There is a ruckus going on over the campaign of Election Commission for intensive revision of voter list in Bihar. On one hand, the Supreme Court has accepted the petition against revision of voter list and Thursday has been fixed for the hearing. On the other hand, RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav has raised questions on the campaign of Election Commission by holding a press conference in Patna.
Bihar Assembly Elections: TMC, RJD Move to Supreme Court Against Eelection Commission's Voter List Revision
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. "We are against this (SIR) and filed a case in the Supreme Court," Moitra told ANI. India News | Bihar Assembly Elections: TMC, RJD Move to Supreme Court Against Eelection Commission's Voter List Revision.
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