ADR challenges Election Commission's Bihar voter roll revision order in SC

The poll authority is carrying out an intensive review of electoral rolls this year in five states.

Citing “the unreasonably short timeline” and “lack of due process” and for the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission exercise by calling it unconstitutional and warning that it will “disenfranchise lakhs of voters”.

The petitioner, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), in its PIL has sought quashing of ECI's June 24 order that requires large sections of voters in Bihar to submit proof of citizenship in order to remain on the electoral rolls.

The plea contends that ECI's directive violates Articles 14, 19, 21, 325 and 326 of the Constitution and also contravenes the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Rule 21A of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The PIL contends that if not quashed the ECI's order could arbitrarily and without due process disenfranchise lakhs of voters, undermining free and fair elections. The plea further argues that the stringent documentation requirements, absence of adequate proc ..

Meanwhile, Firozabad: With opposition parties voicing concern on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Saturday that almost every political party had complained about the voters' list being inaccurate and stressed it was necessary to update it before elections under the law.

The Congress and other I.N.D.I.A. bloc parties have questioned the intent and the timing of the revision of the voters' list, claiming that the exercise carries the risk of willful exclusion of voters using the state machinery.

The Election Commission had on June 28 said that the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar has begun and stressed that all citizens, political parties and the Election Commission of India follow the Constitution." The poll authority reminded that Article 326 specifies eligibility to become an elector -- only Indian citizens, above 18 years and ordinary residents in that constituency are eligible to be on the voters' list.

The poll authority is carrying out an intensive review of electoral rolls this year in five states and Puducherry, beginning with Bihar, to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking their place of birth. Bihar is going to the polls this year, while assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are scheduled in 2026.