87% of voter enumeration forms distributed: EC
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The revision exercise, which began last month, has faced stiff opposition from political parties who met Election Commission officials in Patna and New Delhi to demand a halt. However, the EC reiterated that the SIR was aimed at ensuring comprehensive inclusion of all eligible voters.
The commission clarified that the remaining 13% of households were yet to be covered due to various reasons, such as locked homes, deaths, migration, or temporary travel.
"Since the BLO will visit each house three times during the exercise, these figures are expected to rise," an EC statement said.
The EC added that 1,54,977 booth level agents (BLAs) appointed by different political parties were actively supporting the process. According to official data, the BJP appointed 52,689 BLAs, followed by 47,504 from the RJD, 34,669 from JD(U), 16,500 from the Congress and others from smaller parties such as CPI(ML), LJP (Ram Vilas), CPI(M), BSP and AAP.
Each BLA is permitted to submit up to 50 certified forms daily. So far, around 5% of signed forms, about 38 lakh, have already been collected.
As per the EC guidelines, to be included in the draft electoral roll (due to be published on Aug 1), electors must submit the signed pre-printed enumeration form by July 25. The final rolls will be published on Sept 30.
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Time of India
42 minutes ago
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EC's revision is more confusing than comforting EC's assurances about the efficiency of its Special Intensive Revision of Bihar's voter roll aside, the ground reality is that many ordinary voters are confused, more so since state poll commission is in overdrive just months before elections. Bad timing | The issue's bigger than opposition concerns. The main problem is the rushed schedule. Not only is monsoon the wrong time for such a revision in the flood-prone state, it is distressing for residents, stressful for poll workers, and inaccuracies can be costly. First booth level officer's multiple visits to each potential voter's residence – first to give a pre-filled or empty form then to collect it with or without documents on a case-to-case basis. Second, given Bihar's patchy documentation, getting hold of documents can be tough. Third, if a potential voter fails to ensure BLO has his/her form and documents, they won't be included in the new voter roll. Fourth, BLOs must collect, verify, collate, scan ID documents and upload all of it within weeks for an estimated 7cr people. Fifth, having a month for 'claims & objections' after the draft roll is published on Aug 1 misses the point. It means voters must make themselves available away from their work in other districts and states, first for BLOs in July, then in Aug if excluded. How many Bihari workers have that luxury? Faulty logic | EC has cited rapid urbanisation, migration, and inclusion of undocumented immigrants for springing this on Bihar. The first is unrelated to the emphasis on birth certificates. For the second, residency proof is required to remove inter- and intra-district duplication. What acceptable residency document does a migrant show in his work-town? As for the third, whether the issue can be fixed by Sept 30 (deadline for final voter roll) and is big enough in Bihar to offset the high probability of disenfranchising ordinary voters is debatable. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Indian Express
an hour ago
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11 documents listed by EC for Bihar voter verification: Why getting even one is easier said than done
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News18
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