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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CPI-ML protests against voters' list revision in Bihar
Ranchi: CPI-ML on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Jharkhand chief electoral officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar, demanding the annulment of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar. CPI-ML had planned a rally from the Birsa Chowk to the CEO's office and invited JMM and Congress, but they cited various reasons for not taking part. The planned march was postponed owing to rains. CPI-ML politburu member Haldhar Mahto said, "The Election Commission's (EC) action on SIR lacks transparency and there are indications of hobnobbing with the Centre." CPI-ML state secretary Manoj Bhakt said, "Serious questions are being raised over the election process and impartiality of the EC particularly after the Chief Justice of India was replaced by the Union home minister in forming the commission. Around 65 lakh voters have been removed from voter's list in Bihar without publicising the reason for the action. The step has led to serious doubts among people." The data presented by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, after analysis of voters' list is frightening. Depriving any citizen of voting rights and creating fake lists is like ending democracy. EC should make public the list of deleted voters and the reasons, CPI-ML leaders claimed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Best Mattresses by Consumer Reports (Here's What You May Not Want to Miss) QuestionHero Learn More Undo The party stated that EC has the responsibilities of conducting an impartial election and restoring faith of people in the institution. The memorandum also demanded that the EC should withdraw SIR, make available voters' list, issue clarification on questions being raised in connection with registration of fake voters and remove the limitation of 45 days or making available the CCTV footage of elections. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
CPI(ML) Liberation takes out protest march in Ranchi against SIR
Agency: PTI Ranchi, Aug 11 (PTI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation on Monday took out a rally in Ranchi against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The agitators demanded withdrawal of the exercise, making digital voter lists public and removal of the 45-day limitation for retention of CCTV footage of polling. The march was taken out from Ranchi's Birsa Chowk and concluded near the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. A delegation of the CPI (ML)L also met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar and submitted a memorandum. 'The removal of 65 lakh names from the voter list during the SIR process months ahead of the election in Bihar raises doubts. The deleted names and reasons for it should be made public," the party's state secretary Manoj Bhakt said. 'The Election Commission has the dual responsibility of conducting fair elections and restoring public trust in this institution," he added. The opposition has been protesting in both House of Parliament against the SIR, alleging that the EC's exercise is aimed at 'disenfranchising voters" in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections due later this year. PTI SAN RBT view comments First Published: August 11, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
EC delists 5 parties in state
1 2 Ranchi: The Election Commission (EC) has removed five registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) from its list in Jharkhand after they failed to meet the regulation provided under the Representation of People (RP) Act, 1951. The office of Jharkhand chief electoral officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar on Saturday said Bharat Vikas Morcha of Deoghar, Bhartiya Janmukti Party and Manav Mukti Party of Palamu, Navjawan Sangharsh Morcha of Garwah and Rashtriya Mazdoor Kisan Prajatantrik Party of Ranchi were removed from the list. "If a registered party does not fight elections for six years then it would be removed from the EC list. Besides, political parties have to inform the EC about the changes in their name, address and office bearers without delay to the EC, under the RP Act," the CEO's office said in a statement. The EC, had in June sent a list of 345 RUPPs, including seven of Jharkhand, to CEOs across the country for compliance of rules. Jharkhand CEO issued show cause notices to the RUPPs and provided them opportunity to present their argument. Out of seven RUPPs of Jharkhand, Jansadharan Party and the Jharkhand Vikas Dal presented their sides before the CEO. Based on the recommendation of the CEOs, the EC has removed 334 RUPPs from the list. These political parties cannot take benefits of the Income Tax Act and the election symbols (reservation and allotment) order under the RP Act. The affected RUPPs can appeal before the EC within 30 days of the decision. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Geofencing of polling booths begins in Palamu
Daltonganj: As many as 1,796 polling stations under Palamu Lok Sabha seat, which are spread across five assembly segments, are being geo-fenced and mapped after a recent directive issued in this regard by state chief electoral (CEO) officer K Ravi Kumar. The mapping work, being carried out on Google Earth, will be reviewed by the CEO between August 11 and August 19 through videoconferencing, officials here said. That apart, geo-fencing and Nazri Naksha, which is a handmade map of the polling station, are also being carried out. The entire exercise is to assess the accessibility of the polling stations, determining where they exist and how conveniently they can be reached. Kundan Kumar, the electoral registration officer (ERO) of Bishrampur assembly constituency, said, "There are 367 polling stations in Bishrampur. However, 158 polling stations come under Kandi, Bardeeha, and Majhiaon blocks in the adjoining Garhwa district." Similarly, Daltonganj assembly constituency has 426 polling stations. Of them, 52 polling stations are in Bhandariya and Badgad blocks. Of the 1,796 polling stations across Palamu parliamentary constituency, 210 are in Garhwa district. In another development, recognised political parties reluctant to provide the names of their district presidents for nominating booth level agents. Palamu deputy commissioner Sameera S said only Congress has complied so far. BJP's District President Amit Tiwary said they will notify the name soon. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Election Commission seeks proof from existing electors, its officer said enrolment has clear safeguards
When the Election Commission (EC) announced a 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls on June 24, it cited the need to ensure that all electors on the revised roll meet the eligibility criteria of age and citizenship — including those who were added after 2003, the year the last intensive revision was undertaken in the state. But barely a year earlier, when the question of alleged illegal immigrants became a flashpoint during the Assembly elections in neighbouring Jharkhand, the poll panel's top official in the state had defended the EC's 'elaborate provisions' for preparing electoral rolls — particularly those relating to citizenship. Incidentally, the last intensive revision in Jharkhand was also conducted in 2003, the same year as Bihar. In fact, in an affidavit filed in the Jharkhand High Court on September 3, 2024, in a case involving alleged illegal immigrants obtaining identity documents, including Voter ID cards, the state's Chief Electoral Officer, K Ravi Kumar, cited the EC's instructions on the routine preparation and revision of electoral rolls to argue that the Commission had established 'clear safeguards' to prevent the enrolment of ineligible persons. However, in the same affidavit, the Jharkhand CEO also underlined the limits of an Electoral Registration Officer's (ERO's) powers to question or initiate an inquiry into an individual's citizenship — especially 'in the absence of any credible allegation and the existence of legitimate government-issued documents.' The affidavit said that in case of any doubt regarding an applicant's citizenship, the ERO could consult the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before making a decision, and in case of an objection filed in the form of Form 7, the burden of proof initially lay with the objector. The High Court was hearing a case filed by Danyaal Danish, a Jharkhand resident and BJP worker, who sought action against alleged illegal immigration from Bangladesh. In August 2024, the court had asked the Union and State government entities concerned to file affidavits on the steps taken to deal with the issue. The CEO's affidavit provided a detailed explanation of the processes followed by EROs, while underlining that it is the Union government, through the MHA, that can determine citizenship. '…it is respectfully submitted that the Election Commission of India has formulated elaborate provisions regarding entry of names during preparation of electoral roll, and deletion of names on objection or doubt about their citizenship have been incorporated in the election laws and manual,' the affidavit said. The CEO said the Commission had established 'clear safeguards' to prevent enrolment of ineligible persons as per its Manual on Electoral Roll, 2023. According to this manual, the ERO has to satisfy himself or herself that an applicant is an Indian citizen. On the documents that the ERO can rely on, the manual says, though there is no standard and uniform document, an illustrative list of documents that 'could' be referred to comprises 'National Register of Citizens, wherever it exists, citizenship certificate issued by a competent authority, a valid passport issued by Government of India and birth certificate.' The affidavit further said that in case of any doubt, the ERO should refer the matter to the MHA to determine as per the Citizenship Act. In case of an objection to an elector on the rolls, it has to be filed in a Form 7. 'In case of an objection filed in Form 7 seeking deletion of name from the electoral roll on the ground that the person objected to is not a citizen of India, the onus of proof shall initially lie on the objector. This is a shifting burden of proof…Therefore, the Electoral Registration Officer would justifiably require the person concerned, to show evidence that he is a citizen of India,' the affidavit said. Importantly, the affidavit said: 'In the absence of any credible allegation and the existence of legitimate government-issued documents, the ERO's authority to question or initiate enquiry into an individual's citizenship becomes restricted…Further, should there be any reason to suspect that any of the certificates produced by the applicant is bogus or issued without due care, the ERO is instructed, as per paragraph 7.4.1. of Chapter 7 of the Manual on Electoral Rolls to [refer to] the authorities that issued that certificate. This is another effective mechanism prescribed for dealing with the issue of illegal migration.' In this case, the CEO said, the petitioner had not filed any Form 7, and in case any were filed in the future, the ERO would take appropriate action after due inquiry. The affidavit, however, did mention that the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj had received a complaint on August 27, 2024, from Kartik Kumar Saha, former BJP district president, alleging that 71 electors who had EPIC cards were allegedly Bangladeshis and therefore ineligible to be on the rolls. When reached for comment on the complaint, the Jharkhand CEO declined to comment, saying the matter was sub-judice. The District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj, Hemant Sati, said an inquiry had been conducted into the allegations levelled against the 71 electors and the report submitted to the court. He said all the electors concerned had been living in the state for 30-40 years and were found to have valid government documents like Aadhaar cards. Many had even availed benefits of government schemes like PM Awas Yojana. While hearing the petition last year, the High Court had asked the Deputy Commissioners of six districts — Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Dumka, Sahibganj and Deoghar — where 'majority of infiltrators' were reported, to submit affidavits giving details of such individuals 'after going through their Aadhaar Cards, Voter Cards and by comparing with the Record of Rights to establish their residency in the area which falls under the Santhal Pargana region', as per a September 20, 2024 order. Barring Sahibganj, all DCs disputed the allegation that illegal immigrants were present in their districts. The court had then asked the state and Union governments to form a fact-finding committee, which was challenged by the Jharkhand government in the Supreme Court. The matter is pending in both the Supreme Court and the High Court. As per the EC's June 24 order, all 7.8 crore existing electors in Bihar must fill out enumeration forms by July 25 to be included in the draft roll, which is scheduled for publication on August 1. In addition, voters who were added to the rolls after January 1, 2003 — the year of the last intensive revision — are required to submit documents to establish their eligibility, including proof of citizenship. Opposition parties and civil society groups have raised concerns that the exercise could disenfranchise genuine electors. The EC's decision to conduct the SIR has been challenged through multiple petitions in the Supreme Court, which has asked the Commission to file its response by July 21. Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu's national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. ... Read More
