Opposition leads in Booth Level Agent appointments during Bihar's SIR drive
According to official data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday, political parties nominated a total of 1.60 lakh BLAs during the enumeration phase of the SIR conducted between June 24 and July 25, 2025 - a 16 per cent increase from the beginning of the drive.
Notably, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) recorded a staggering 1083 per cent increase in BLAs, jumping from just 76 agents before SIR to 899 by the end.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation followed closely, with a 542 per cent rise - from 233 to 1,496 agents.
The Indian National Congress also showed remarkable engagement, doubling its BLA count from 8,586 to 17,549 - an increase of 105 per cent. In sharp contrast, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), despite being a major opposition player in Bihar, showed a meagre 1 per cent increase, from 47,143 to 47,506 BLAs.
The data directly counters any perception that the opposition boycotted or under-participated in the SIR exercise. Instead, it reveals that parties like the Congress, CPI(M), and CPIML actively mobilised at the booth level to engage with voters and ensure accurate electoral rolls.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while maintaining a high base, saw only a 3 per cent increase in its BLAs - from 51,964 to 53,338.
The Janata Dal (United) demonstrated moderate growth of 31 per cent, raising its count from 27,931 to 36,550.
The rise in BLA appointments is seen as a critical indicator of party preparedness and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
It also reflects a broader political consensus in supporting a cleaner, more inclusive voter list through active participation in the SIR process.
The opposition INDIA Bloc has been criticising the poll panel for conducting the SIR drive just ahead of the Bihar elections, but according to the data shared by the poll panel, the sharp increment in appointing BLA's reflects the opposition's presence on the ground when the drive was being done.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
12 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
SC asks ECI to ‘proceed' with Aadhaar, EPIC in Bihar SIR
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to halt the publication of the draft electoral rolls for the state of Bihar, scheduled for August 1, reminded the Election Commission of India (ECI) that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) must aim for 'en masse inclusion, not exclusion' and told the poll body to consider accepting Aadhaar and Voter ID (Election Photo Identity ) cards as valid documents. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the poll body must proceed with the understanding that both documents carry a 'presumption of genuineness'. (HT File) A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the poll body must proceed with the understanding that both documents carry a 'presumption of genuineness'. The bench issued the directions orally while hearing the petitions filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and others, who have challenged ECI's June 24 notification initiating SIR under Section 21(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1950. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for ADR, urged the court to stay the publication of the draft rolls, arguing that nearly 4.5 million voters may be adversely affected. 'Once the draft is out, the burden shifts to voters to file objections and seek inclusion,' Sankaranarayanan argued. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, who appeared for ECI, however, told the court the August 1 list was only a draft and that the process will remain open for 'additions and corrections.' The bench agreed and said that the court could always intervene later if it found illegality in the process. When Sankaranarayanan requested a formal observation that the exercise would be subject to the outcome of the petitions, the court said the same was 'understood' and that it did not need to be recorded. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, told the court that ECI officials on the ground were refusing to accept Aadhaar and Voter ID despite the court's July 10 oral directions to consider them. Dwivedi said that ECI had flagged concerns about the reliability of certain documents, especially Aadhaar and ration cards. Appearing for Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, 'The impression on the ground is that EC officials are not accepting Aadhaar and EPIC cards despite the court's previous directions.' The court then orally instructed ECI to consider including Aadhaar and EPIC as valid documents for verifying voter eligibility. It also reminded ECI to be cautious while excluding names. 'There is a presumption of correctness with official documents. You proceed with Aadhaar and EPIC. Where forgery is found, you can act on a case to case basis. Any document on this earth can be forged. Instead of en masse exclusion, you should be going for en masse inclusion,' the court said. In its June 24 notification, ECI listed 11 acceptable documents for proving citizenship during the SIR. The accepted documents include birth certificates, matriculation certificates, passport, permanent residence or domicile certificates, among others but exclude Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and ration cards on the ground that the latter documents are prone to forgery. The petitioners before the Supreme Court have argued that ECI's insistence on just the 11 documents lacks legal backing and can result in mass disenfranchisement. The petitioners, who also include Opposition leaders led by Congress MP KC Venugopal, RJD MP Manoj Jha among others, have also questioned whether ECI has the authority to conduct such a revision and seek proof of citizenship, a function reserved for the Union government. ECI in its affidavit filed last week said that while the exclusive powers of the Central government is confined to reviewing the acquisition of foreign citizenship, ECi is fully competent to require a person claiming citizenship by birth to produce relevant documents for inclusion in the electoral roll. The court had earlier noted that the matter 'goes to the root of the functioning of the democratic republic' and involves the fundamental right to vote. On a previous hearing on July 10, another bench of the court had said the top court will examine three questions, ECI's powers to conduct the SIR, the manner in which it was being carried out, and the timing of the exercise, given the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The court is likely to continue with the hearing of the matter on Tuesday.
The Print
41 minutes ago
- The Print
Nitish Kumar will be Bihar CM after polls: Chirag Paswan
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, the Union food processing minister also accused the Opposition of targeting the Army to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Operation Sindoor. Paswan's remarks came just two days after he expressed 'regret' over having to support the Nitish Kumar government, which he alleged has 'surrendered' before criminals. New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Union minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Monday said Nitish Kumar will take oath as Bihar Chief Minister again after the assembly elections to be held later this year. Paswan, the MP from Hajipur in Bihar, said the NDA is a 'winning combination' for the elections and reiterated his commitment towards Prime Minister Modi. 'Several times I have reiterated that my commitment and love is towards the Prime Minister. Under PM Modi's leadership, the elections (in Bihar) will be fought. After the election results, Nitish Kumar will again take oath as chief minister. Definitely he will be the chief minister,' he said. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, Paswan said this process has happened four times earlier with no difference, except that digital technology has been linked now. 'Earlier, one used to go for physical documentation and now online you can submit,' he said. The Union food processing minister pointed out that Aadhaar cards do not have place of birth clarity, adding that people can appeal at three levels if there are any problems. 'Opposition created such noise on this issue. Have they given any proof to show if names have been removed wrongly?' he asked. 'Only the one wrongly registered will be deleted. But at the same time it will be ensured that no one is meted out with injustice. We also need to ensure intruders do not take advantage of our voters,' Paswan said. He noted that after every election, it was the Opposition that complained to the Election Commission about anomalies in voter lists. 'EVMs are fine now, voter lists are an issue for them.' The minister said the process will be implemented across the country eventually. 'Intensive revision is necessary. Some deceased's names are on the list and it is continuing. By chance, it (SIR) is implemented in Bihar. In the coming days, it will be done in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu where elections are due, and eventually across the country.' Responding to RJD MP Manoj Jha's suggestion about sending a fact-finding committee to Bihar to assess the law and order situation, Paswan said, 'I am a Bihari. I need not send a committee to understand the situation in my state. I know the situation and therefore expressed concern.' 'When I raise the issue, they see my revolt. It is not a revolt, but a concern,' he added. The LJP(RV) chief said the Opposition would like the NDA to split as it cannot win on its own strength and can win only by weakening the opposite side. On Operation Sindoor, Paswan accused the Opposition of not sparing even the Army in order to target Prime Minister Modi. 'Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Army not by a minister. Its success was due to the Army. I give credit to the PM as will power is necessary for giving approval for such a big decision. We kept in mind the sensitivity of the issue. To target Prime Minister Modi, they (Opposition) are putting a question mark on Operation Sindoor. What kind of thinking is this?' he said. The LJP chief said he has a problem with the Opposition having 'faith in every foreigner' but not the government and politicians in India. 'They believe what the prime minister of another country has said. They believe what the neighbouring country has said. But they don't want to believe what our Army and the democratically elected government are saying,' he said. Paswan also criticised the Opposition for demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor and then creating ruckus when it was convened. 'When it was convened, what did they do? They created ruckus and proceedings were adjourned twice. Is this your priority?' he asked. 'Politicising every issue is not a good sign. You raise questions to seek response on the issue, but don't use the platform for political benefit,' the Union minister said. PTI LUX KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Mint
42 minutes ago
- Mint
Parliament Monsoon Session: INDIA bloc to protest over Bihar voter list revision today
Opposition MPs of the INDIA bloc are set to stage a protest at the Makar Dwar of Parliament on Tuesday at 10:30 AM, ahead of the day's proceedings, to mount pressure on the Centre against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Exercise (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. According to the sources, the government has agreed to the opposition's demand to take up the SIR matter in the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, signalling a possible floor debate, news agency ANI said. The opposition is continuously raising questions over transparency and the verification process in the ongoing SIR in Bihar. Earlier on Monday, both houses of parliament were adjourned several times amid sloganeering by Opposition members demanding a discussion on the ongoing SIR in poll-bound Bihar, as well as other issues of public importance. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Monday criticised the Opposition for disrupting the start of a debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of making a "U-turn". Rijiju addressed reporters after both the houses of Parliament got adjourned for the second time amid sloganeering by Opposition members demanding a discussion on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. "Opposition has made a U-turn. This will not work. After half an hour, Parliament proceedings will resume. The Defence Minister will open the debate. I urge everyone to listen to him. No Opposition party should speak the language of Pakistan," Rijiju told reporters outside Parliament. He further said that the opposition is demanding a commitment from the government to discuss the SIR exercise in Bihar after the deliberation concludes on Sindoor. Rijiju added, "We were all ready for the discussion. 10 minutes before the discussion had to start, the Opposition came up with their agenda that the government should give a line of commitment that, after this, the issue of SIR would be discussed. To bring in a condition just 10 minutes before the discussion is not right." He also questioned why the Opposition was "running away" from a debate and resorting to disruption instead. Why are the Congress and Opposition now running away from discussion on Operation Sindoor? He asked, 'Why are the Congress and Opposition now running away from discussion on Operation Sindoor?'
