Asaduddin Owaisi meets poll panel, raises concerns over Bihar roll revision
'The first point we made was that political parties were not consulted for the SIR being conducted,' Owaisi told reporters after his meeting at Nirvachan Sadan. 'We have asked the EC why they don't consider the 2024 voter list as the qualifying one. We have voted in 2024, and now, in 2025, you are asking for documents… You are creating two classes of voters which is a violation of Article 14. You can't give a reasonable justification.'
In a statement, the EC said that CEC Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi had an interaction with an AIMIM delegation led by Owaisi and received their suggestions.
Flagging concerns he shared with the poll panel, Owaisi told reporters the SIR exercise was being conducted in a very short span of time: 'If someone's name is removed from the voter list, it's not just about losing the right to vote, it affects their livelihood as well.'
'Our main concern is how the Election Commission plans to carry out such an exercise in such a short time. This will directly impact the people. We have presented these issues to the Election Commission, emphasising the practical challenges and the potential hardship it could cause for citizens,' he said.
'There is migration too. Those who change their address. You are asking for birth certificates,' Owaisi said. 'If in a hurry, if names of 15-20 per cent are missed. Then, it will become a citizenship issue. It will be like Assam D-voter (Doubtful voter). This is an apprehension and it is genuine.'
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That's all I need to do now,' says Prakash, smiling, and clicking on the 'Recommended' button. The form is uploaded. Even with the relaxed rules, it takes a while to upload the forms. He had set a daily target of 100 forms, but by 1 pm, he has barely uploaded 20. 'So far, I have only uploaded 50 forms of the total 1,200 in our block. I have only 17 days left. At this rate, how will I ever finish?' he says. His wife insists that he eat his lunch before proceeding any further. After a lunch of rice, dal and fried potatoes, the fatigue of the last few days catches up with the BLO and he allows himself a short nap. He is up again by 2 pm, and sits down with the forms. By 5 pm, he has uploaded another 30 forms. As he breaks for tea, he says, 'As a teacher, I have a piece of advice for the Election Commission. 'If you have to do such an exercise, do it in a non-election year. Do it over at least six months – that will give people time to make the required documents. You can then rope us in to carry out verifications. Even better, link the voter card with Aadhaar so that there is no duplication in the voter list. Set up an online desk for migrants… Of course, I am no one to dole out advice. I am only a teacher — and a BLO.' Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More
