INDIA bloc flags EC's ‘disastrous' SIR plan, says lakhs may lose voting rights in Bihar
The INDIA bloc on Wednesday told the Election Commission that its plan to carry out a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar would disproportionately impact 'disadvantaged communities.' Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi with Bihar party President Rajesh Ram, CPI (ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, RJD leader Manoj Jha, and other INDIA bloc leaders address the media after meeting the Election Commission, outside Nirvachan Sadan, in New Delhi, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (PTI)
The parties said the exercise risked disenfranchising lakhs of genuine voters due to its documentation demands and rigid timeline.
'The methodology, timeline, and process prescribed for the SIR is guaranteed to ensure a disastrous result that will result in the deletion of tens of lakhs of genuine voters, especially those at the margins of society,' the parties said in a joint representation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Voter list needs to be updated before every election as part of law': CEC Gyanesh Kumar amid opposition criticism
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel As opposition parties continue to raise concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is to be carried out in Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday said it is a general practice to update the voter list before every election as a part of the Kumar said opposition parties themselves in the past have complained about issues pertaining to the voter list."As part of the law, before every election, the voter list needs to be updated. A detailed investigation of the voter list and all voter details was not conducted after January 1, 2003. This is supposed to be a general practice," he said."Nearly every political party complained about issues in the authenticity of the voter list, and demanded updates. More than 1 lakh booth-level officers are working on it with the support of all political parties. No ineligible person will be able to make it into this list," the Chief Election Commissioner told Special Intensive Revision is a focused voter list update exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure electoral rolls are accurate ahead of upcoming today, Congress leader Sachin Pilot raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted in Bihar, questioning the Election Commission's "haste" and said EC should carry out its work in a "transparent manner."Speaking to reporters in Dausa, Rajasthan, Pilot said, "The haste with which the Election Commission has taken this step raises significant doubts, and a group of opposition parties met them and asked questions, but no satisfactory answers were received."Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have expressed concern that the SIR process may be misused to disenfranchise voters, particularly the poor and marginalised response, the ECI stated that the exercise is being conducted strictly in line with the provisions of Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act of 1950. It said the aim is to remove ineligible entries while ensuring that no eligible voter is left out.
India Gazette
23 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Nobody takes Rahul Gandhi seriously anymore because of the
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Union Minister Piyush Goyal hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on India's trade negotiations with the United States and stated that nobody took the Congress leader seriously anymore because of the negativity he and his colleagues spread. 'Nobody takes Rahul Gandhi seriously anymore because of the negativity he, his colleagues, and his party consistently spread. They have lost the confidence of the people of India, who have time and again rejected the Congress. Till today, they have not been able to come up with any positive agenda for the development of the nation...' Goyal said, speaking to the reporters here. He further stated that India negotiated keeping in mind the national interests, further stating that the country was self-confident and could compete with anyone in the world. 'India does not negotiate under deadlines; we negotiate keeping national interests in mind. National interest is paramount in all our work across the world... Today, India negotiates with a position of strength; we are self-confident and can compete with anyone in the world. This is not the India under UPA rule, which would beg for negotiations not under national interest...' he further added. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi, reacting to Piyush Goyal's statement on India entering trade deals, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will 'meekly bow' to theTrump tariff deadlines, referring to the India-US trade deal. Rahul Gandhi referenced a media report and wrote on X, 'Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.' Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday emphasised that India will only enter into trade agreements, including the proposed US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), when they serve the country's national interests and offer mutual benefits. Speaking on the sidelines of the 16th Toy Biz B2B expo in New Delhi, Goyal made it clear that India's approach to international trade negotiations remains firm and principled. 'It should be a win-win agreement, and only when India's interests are safeguarded -- national interest will always be supreme -- and keeping that in mind, if a good deal is formed, India is always ready to engage with developed countries,' the minister stated. Goyal emphasised that India negotiates on its terms. The minister revealed that India is currently engaged in trade discussions with multiple countries across different continents. 'Discussions are ongoing with various countries -- be it the European Union, New Zealand, Oman, the US, Chile, or Peru. Talks about agreements are underway with many nations,' he said. However, Goyal stressed that the multiplicity of negotiations does not mean India is in a rush to conclude deals. 'A Free Trade Agreement is only possible when there is mutual benefit,' he explained. 'India never enters into trade deals based on deadlines or time pressure. A deal is accepted only when it is fully matured, well-negotiated, and in the national interest,' Goyal stated.. This approach reflects India's confidence in its negotiating position and its commitment to securing favourable terms for its economy and businesses. (ANI)
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hindi row: Congress slams Thackeray cousins for hogging credit for govt's rollback; casts doubt on reunion
NEW DELHI: Congress on Saturday slammed Uddhav and Raj Thackeray for hogging the credit for compelling the government to retreat from its decision to introduce Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra schools. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Hours after Uddhav and Raj held a joint victory rally in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal reminded the cousins that the government's move was opposed by various sections of the society and not just by them. "If the Thackerays want to celebrate the withdrawal of GRs, it's good," Sapkal said. "Everyone fought against the imposition of Hindi (language) from grade one (in state schools)," he added. Sapkal claimed that he himself had written letters to 600 people from various sections to unite in opposition to the GRs and organised a series of meetings involving educationists and Marathi language experts. This comes after Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chiefs came together at the "Awaz Marathicha" rally to celebrate the rollback on what they called the government's bid to "impose" Hindi over Maharashtra. During the rally, Raj and Uddhav hinted at an alliance with MNS for the upcoming local body elections, especially the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election, likely to be held later this year. "What Balasaheb Thackeray could not do, chief minister Fadnavis has managed to do," Raj Thackeray said. "We have come together to stay together," said while addressing the gathering," Uddhav said. On the speculation of a possible alliance, Sapkal appeared skeptical and said that celebrating the withdrawal of Hindi language GRs and a potential political alliance between the two cousins were two separate issues. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It's fine if Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray claim credit for the withdrawal of the GRs. If they come together politically, our best wishes," Prithviraj Chavan said. Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray came together on a public platform after 20 years. They last shared a stage in 2005 during the Malvan assembly bypoll campaign. That was after former chief minister Narayan Rane had left the undivided Shiv Sena. Raj Thackeray quit the party later that year and launched the MNS in 2006.
