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Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
‘Blatantly absurd': ADR on EC not including Aadhaar as proof for Bihar voter roll revision
The Association for Democratic Reforms on Saturday described the Election Commission's decision not to Aadhaar card a standalone valid documen t for the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar as 'blatantly absurd', reported The Hindu. The non-profit organisation is one of the petitioners against the exercise. The statement was part of a rejoined filed in the Supreme Court in response to the poll panel's affidavit in the matter. On Monday, the Election Commission said that the Aadhaar does not 'constitute proof of Indian citizenship' and could be easily forged. The affidavit had come in response to the Supreme Court's July 10 order that asked the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards and ration cards as valid proof for the electoral roll revision exercise 'in the interest of justice'. On Saturday, the Association for Democratic Reforms told the Supreme Court that any of the 11 documents that the poll panel has stated could be used to prove eligibility 'are equally susceptible to being procured on the basis of fake or false documentation', reported The Hindu. 'The fact that Aadhar card is one of the documents accepted for obtaining Permanent Residence Certificate, other backward castes, scheduled castes or scheduled tribes certificate and for passport – makes ECI's rejection of Aadhar (which is most widely held document) under the instant SIR [special intensive revision] order patently absurd,' the organisation was quoted as stating by Bar and Bench. The non-profit also claimed that no procedure has been defined for the verification of the supporting documents submitted by the voters. This gives the electoral registration officers 'broad and unchecked discretion' that could result in disenfranchisement of the voters in Bihar, the organisation further claimed. It told the court that each electoral registration officer has been tasked with handling the enumeration forms of more than three lakh persons. This makes it 'humanly impossible for them' to conduct the process reasonably, the organisation told the Supreme court. It alleged that the manner in which the exercise was being carried out was a ' grave fraud ' on the state's voters, reported The Indian Express. 'Many voters have reported that their forms have been submitted online, despite never having met with any BLOs [block level officers] or signed any documents,' the Association for Democratic Reforms was quoted as saying by Live Law. 'Forms of even dead individuals have been reported to have been submitted.' According to the Election Commission's guidelines, the block level officers are required to visit each home and give a voter two enumeration forms. The organisation added: 'The above points to the flawed manner in which the current SIR of electoral rolls is being conducted, where the integrity of the electoral rolls is compromised, potentially affecting millions of voters and undermining the democratic process.' The revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar was announced by the Election Commission on June 24. As part of the exercise, persons whose names were not on the 2003 voter list will need to submit proof of eligibility to vote. This means that 2.9 crore out of the state's 7.8 crore voters – or about 37% of the electors – will have to submit documentary evidence. Voters born before July 1, 1987, must show proof of their date and place of birth, while those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, must also submit documents establishing the date and place of birth of one of their parents. Those born after December 2, 2004, will need proof of date of birth for themselves and both parents. If the officers are satisfied with the details provided, the voters will be re-enrolled to a new voter list by electoral registration officers. If not, they will be removed from the voter lists. A draft roll will be published on August 1 and the final roll will be out on September 30. On July 2, eleven INDIA bloc parties told the Election Commission that the special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral rolls risked disenfranchising more than 2.5 crore voters, as they may not be able to produce the necessary documents. On July 5, the Association for Democratic Reforms filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral rolls, saying that the order is arbitrary and can disenfranchise millions of voters. The non-profit organisation sought the quashing of the order and stated that it imposed fresh documentation requirements and shifted the burden of proof from the state to the citizen. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on July 6 defended the exercise, claiming that the exercise had to be carried out as no one was satisfied with the current voter rolls. The poll panel stated on Monday that there was no violation of law or fundamental rights of any voter in the electoral roll revision process. 'The SIR [special intensive revision' adds to the purity of elections by weeding out inelgible persons from electoral rolls,' said the Election Commission.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Exclusion of Aadhaar, ration cards in SIR 'patently absurd': Petitioner NGO to Supreme Court
NGO Association for Democratic Reforms has told the Supreme Court that the exclusion of Aadhaar and ration cards from the list of acceptable documents in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar 's electoral rolls is "patently absurd" and that the Election Commission has given no valid reason for its decision. In a rejoinder filed in the top court, the NGO said that the Aadhaar card is one of the documents accepted for obtaining Permanent Residence Certificate, OBC/SC/ST Certificate and for passports. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Project Management Public Policy Leadership Digital Marketing healthcare Technology MCA Operations Management Data Science Others Design Thinking Product Management Management MBA PGDM others Data Science CXO Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence Finance Degree Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details This makes "ECI's rejection of Aadhaar (which is the most widely held document) under the instant SIR order patently absurd," the NGO said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Average Cost To Rent A Private Jet May Surprise You (View Prices) Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo It said that the EC has given no valid reason to exclude Aadhaar and ration cards from the list of acceptable documents. The NGO has contended that Electoral Registration Officers are vested with broad and unchecked discretion that could result in disenfranchisement of a significant segment of Bihar's population. Live Events "The petition submits that the SIR order dated June 24, 2025, if not set aside, can arbitrarily and without due process disenfranchise lakhs of citizens from electing their representatives, thereby disrupting free and fair elections and democracy in the country, which are part of the basic structure of the Constitution," the NGO said. The Election Commission had justified its ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it adds to the purity of the election by "weeding out ineligible persons" from the electoral rolls. The top court, hearing a slew of petitions against SIR in Bihar, had on July 10 had asked the Election Commission to consider Aadhaar, Voter ID and ration cards as valid documents during its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, set to go to polls later this year.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bihar Voter List 2025: Who's Being Left Off and Why?
Published : Jul 23, 2025 06:36 IST - 12 MINS READ 'Sab sang basiye, sab sang rasiye, sabka lijiye naam, haanji, haanji kahte rahiye, aaithiye apna thaam '(Live and celebrate among all, take everyone's name, keep saying yes, but stay in your place). This couplet quoted by Kranti Devi of the Mahadalit locality of Gehlore village in Gaya district sums up the political mood in election-bound Bihar where a debate is raging over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The Election Commission of India's (ECI) flip-flops on the verification exercise—from initially insisting on at least 1 of 11 listed documents to later saying that even those without any documents could apply and furnish them later—have only fuelled the opposition's protest campaigns, which included a march to the ECI's office and a Bihar-wide bandh. The exasperation of the villagers was evident in Gaya, Jehanabad, and Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituencies of the Magadh region, which is a crucible of Bihar's caste politics. Whether Mahkar, the village where Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi hails from, or Gehlore, the village of the late 'Mountain Man' Dashrath Manjhi, or Matua and Mishribigha in Gurua block, the common refrain was this: 'If Aadhaar is not valid, then what else is? None of us have even 1 of the 11 documents initially demanded by the Election Commission.' Further compounding the issue, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are reportedly providing only one copy of the SIR form and not issuing receipts upon submission. This leaves ordinary voters without any proof of submission, a critical vulnerability if their names are later disputed. Or deleted. Also Read | Out of State, out of rolls? Much water has flowed down the Ganges since the ECI wrote the 19-page letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar about July 1 being the qualifying date for the SIR. While the two-page enumeration form to be filled in is very much the same, there have been conflicting instructions about another two-page declaration form, which includes an 'indicative' list of 11 documents that can be submitted in support of the declaration. These 11 documents are passport, matriculation/educational certificate, Permanent Residence Certificate issued by the competent State authority, Forest Rights Certificate, SC/ST certificate, National Register of Citizens (or NRC, wherever it exists), Family Register, pension payment order issued to any regular government employee or pensioner, any certificate issued by local authorities, banks, post offices, etc. prior to July 1, 1987, birth certificate, and any land/house allotment certificate issued by the government. Aadhaar, ration cards, voter identity cards issued by the ECI (the Elector Photo Identity Card, or EPIC), and PAN cards—all the otherwise most valued papers for an Indian—are not among the 11 documents. EC flip-flops increase confusion As it soon became evident that the majority of voters had only Aadhaar, ration cards, and voter ID cards and as the issue snowballed into a major controversy, the Chief Electoral Officer of the State issued front-page advertisements in Patna newspapers on July 6 urging voters to submit their SIR forms even if they did not have the requisite supporting documents. But the ECI later declared that there was no change in its June 24 order, and asked those who had not submitted documents to do so by July 25. On July 10, days after INDIA bloc leaders met Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer and demanded the inclusion of Aadhaar, ration cards, and MGNREGA job cards in the list of documents to be submitted with the enumeration form, the Supreme Court also asked the ECI to consider Aadhaar card, EPIC, and ration card as proof for voter registration—'in the interest of justice'. On July 15, the State's Chief Electoral Officer issued another front-page advertisement in Delhi newspapers asking Bihar's migrant voters to submit enumeration forms online through mobile phones. For good measure, the advertisement added: 'If you make available the required documents, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will find it easier to process the application. If you cannot provide the required documents, the decision will have to be taken through local investigation by the ERO or on the basis of evidence of other documents.' Meanwhile, the message that has percolated down to the villages is that there is no need to submit the documents along with the enumeration form for inclusion in the voter list. Arvind Kumar Paswan from Mishri Bigha, Ramashish Kumar from Matua, and Nagendra Yadav from Bhaluhar village in Gurua block of the Aurangabad parliamentary seat told Frontline that they had not submitted any documents with their forms because 'there is no demand for any of them now'. That Aadhaar, in particular, is not among the supporting documents has led to major consternation. This writer came across a number of voters who said they were submitting their Aadhaar with the SIR forms because that was the only document they could produce to prove their identity. Often, Aadhaar is also the document cited as proof of date of birth. Many of the villagers pointed out that documents such as SC/ST certificate, Forest Rights Certificate, and Permanent Resident Certificate (or domicile certificates) do not display the date or place of birth. In fact, the domicile certificate is issued only on the basis of Aadhaar cards in most cases. As for the NRC and Family Register, these do not exist in Bihar. Sintoo Kumar, a taxi operator from Darachak village in Kujap of Gaya district, said most of the 300-odd residents of his village had filled in their enumeration forms with just a photograph and Aadhaar number while those with a formal education (like himself) had submitted copies of matriculation certificates. He said: 'Nobody is asking for any document now. But the process was painful a while ago. If they insist on these documents, many people will lose their voting rights. We are Yadavs, we vote for the RJD [Rashtriya Janata Dal]. This voter list issue is not going to affect anyone's support pattern. People will vote for the parties they voted for earlier.' Manoj Sharma, a carpenter from Ahiyapur village in Gaya district, said he filled in his voter enumeration form with Aadhaar although his wife had gone to her parents' home to 'get some documents'. Residents of Jitan Ram Manjhi's village, Mahkar, said that nobody there had any of the 11 documents. 'Who will have a passport here? May be mantriji has one,' one of them said. Speaking in Magahi, his mother tongue, the 56-year-old Ramanuj Sharma said: 'We do not have any of those documents. Are we so active?' The only English word he used was 'active'. He was trying to say that the village way of life did not provide any scope to acquire documents like passports. Arvind Kumar, whose wife Manju Devi is a BLO, said: 'Now villagers are filling in the enumeration forms without submitting any documents. The few educated ones are filling their forms themselves. We are helping the rest.' Most villagers in Mahkar have submitted their forms to the BLO with only their signatures on it, and even the signature is missing in some cases. Another significant hurdle is the unreliable Internet connectivity in rural Bihar. 'Internet network is available in these villages from 1 am to 3 am. If we wake up at that late hour to upload the forms, who will work in the fields?' a young man from the village asked this writer. In many villages, one BLO is required to upload 1,100 or 1,200 forms. Now, BLOs have been told they can return to the block office to upload the forms. 'Such an exercise requires much more time for proper execution than what has been allowed—it needs at least three months. The BLO has not even been given the 2003 voter list so far,' said another young villager. 'People have Aadhaar, ration card and some even have PAN. Caste certificates and domicile certificates are procured by a few but only when the need arises. Most villagers don't have these. Why aren't they accepting Aadhaar?' asked Subodh from Makhdumpur Sapneri tola in Hathiyama panchayat of Khijarsarai district. In Saidpur Bhuian tola, the BLO was a bit guarded but admitted that 'now we are not seeking any document'. Rabari Kumari, a resident of Saidpur village, said: 'Earlier I was asked to provide my mother's voter card. Later, the BLO said there was no need for documents. I have just signed the form and given it to him.' Balchanda Manjhi and Nanhe Yadav from the village said that they had only given their Aadhaar number in the form. Tarkeshwar Paswan said that he did not submit any document with his form. None of them was aware that a document would eventually be demanded on the date announced. In Gehlore village, the SIR exercise is proceeding at snail's pace. A poignant wave of defiance ripples through the crowd when the villagers are told their names could be struck off the voter list if they did not submit documents. Naresh Yadav, 65, said he had never seen an election like this one, but Ram Swaroop Manjhi, the caretaker priest at the samadhi of Dashrath Manjhi, and Maheshwar Paswan said they were asked only for their Aadhaar cards. Kirish Manjhi, hardly out of his teens, said he and many others from the village work in brick kilns and factories in Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Ghaziabad, and Chennai. Most return home at this time of the year, before the sowing season starts. 'We have returned as the rains have come. We will go back only after casting our vote. Most of us working outside have Aadhaar and voter card with our village address. There is no question of not voting,' said Vikas Ravidas, who works in a hotel in Chennai. Shivratan Ram from Sondhra village in Gehlore panchayat area echoed him: 'I will definitely cast my vote.' Different anxieties Literacy is low in villages in the foothills, like Khajuri, and people struggle with basic issues of livelihood. Exercises such as this one do not make much sense to them. In the posh Muslim-dominated locality called White House Compound, the concern was at another level. Speaking to Frontline, one resident said that as soon as the ECI issued a press note on June 24 announcing the SIR, an office-bearer of the White House Mosque Committee hurriedly downloaded the 2003 voter list and circulated it among the local residents via WhatsApp. Abdul Qadir, an academic, explained why Muslims were anxious: 'There is an underlying fear that the exercise will not stop at just deletions from the voter list. What if this becomes a tool for selective harassment? Why reject Aadhaar, a document on which it is written 'Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchan' [My Aadhaar is my identity]. Although SIR forms are now being accepted without any of the 11 documents specified earlier, a lot of discretionary power being given to a low-ranked officials, such as Electoral Registration Officers, raises concerns about possible malpractice. It is dangerous. When forms are uploaded without documents, EROs can decide to delete names from voters list selectively.' S.M. Farhad, a social activist based in New Karimganj, said the BJP was trying to create an impression that the opposition was backing illegal immigrants. 'We are vigilant and filling in our enumeration forms. Many of us have passports,' he said. Some villagers in Mahkar, such as Mithilesh Yadav, Binda Yadav, and Satyendra Kumar Yadav, were bemused about the rumours over illegal immigrants having become voters. They asked this reporter: 'How will outsiders go unnoticed in this village? This may be a problem in cities. But in a village, everyone knows everybody else. Which Bangladeshi or Rohingya Muslim will come here to settle?' Also Read | Bihar's Special Intensive Revision puts 2.93 crore voters at risk of exclusion Talking to Frontline, Rajya Sabha Member Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD said the ECI had repeatedly changed its stance. 'We had cautioned the Election Commission before moving the Supreme Court. The ECI knows that 20 per cent of the people from Bihar reside outside the State. In dealing with these people, it should be kept in mind that Bihar is the most document-deficient State. A huge majority of the people don't have all these documents. The timeline is pressing. That's why we moved the court. The honourable court gave a direction to the Election Commission that in order to maximise inclusion and minimise chaos, Aadhaar card, EPIC voter ID card, and ration card must be taken into account. But, so far, we have not seen any official confirmation or direction from the Election Commission. This adds to the worry, not only for political parties but for common citizens.' Shakeel Ahmad, former Minister of State (Home Affairs) in the earlier United Progressive Alliance government told Frontline: 'The timing and timeline of this revision is deeply concerning. This one-month deadline will add pressure to the already overburdened BLOs to verify and update voter data on the ground. It will exponentially increase the possibility of errors and affect the accuracy of electoral rolls. This revision can also leave genuine voters out of the list. Marginalised and rural communities with scant access to documentation may end up getting disenfranchised. Trying to push through such a massive exercise within a month is unthinkable. Now, it is incumbent upon the ECI to recall its decision completely and postpone it for after Assembly elections.' Clearly, the ECI and the State administration will face a major challenge on voting day as a crucial democratic exercise risks being undermined by a baffling administrative decision and a profound lack of clarity on the ground, which has left ample room for suspicions.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
How to register for sindh's free pink scooty scheme for women
Listen to article The Government of Sindh has launched the Pink EV Scooty Scheme to distribute free electric scooters to women across the province. Led by the Transport and Mass Transit Department and implemented by the Sindh Mass Transit Authority, the initiative aims to improve mobility and promote independence for female students and working professionals. Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of Sindh, hold a valid motorbike or car driving license, and be either enrolled in an educational institution or employed. Beneficiaries must also agree not to sell or sublet the scooty for a minimum of seven years. Shortlisted applicants will be selected through a transparent balloting process conducted in the presence of media and monitored by a committee that includes representatives from the Transport, Excise, and Finance departments, as well as members of the press. Selected candidates will undergo a road safety skill test before final allotment. The scheme also includes training, registration, helmet provision, and access to EV charging infrastructure. Applications must be submitted online via the Sindh Mass Transit Authority's official website. Eligibility Criteria Permanent residency in Sindh Student or working woman Valid car or motorcycle driving license Willingness to retain the scooty for at least seven years without resale or subletting Required to pass a road safety skill test if shortlisted Selection and Oversight Final selection will be conducted through a transparent ballot Balloting will take place in the presence of print and electronic media A supervisory committee will include officials from relevant departments and independent media personnel to ensure transparency Application Process Visit the Sindh Mass Transit Authority's official website Navigate to the 'Projects' section Access the 'EV Scooty Ballot Form – Application Form' Complete the form and upload all required documents before submission Documents Required CNIC (front and back) Domicile certificate Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) Valid driving license (front and back) Student ID or employee ID card Last month, the Sindh government announced a scheme to award free 'pink scooters' to women through a lottery system, aimed at empowering female commuters in the province. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon unveiled the initiative during a press conference in Karachi, highlighting the government's commitment to supporting women's mobility. 'A driving licence is mandatory for women to participate in the scheme,' Sharjeel Memon said, adding that the lucky draw would be held at an open event. The initiative follows the provincial government's launch of the 'Pink Bus' service in 2023, dedicated to female passengers. Sharjeel Memon also announced plans to introduce a 'pink taxi' service, with women drivers behind the wheel.
