With Bihar set to go to assembly polls in November, a latest survey shows that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to benefit most from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise carried out by the Election Commission in the poll-bound state.
According to India Today's Bihar Mood Check opinion poll, NDA is likely to gain most by SIR and leads at 46 percent, followed by Mahagathbandhan, an RJD and Congress alliance, at 21.7 percent.
India Today's Mood of the Nation survey had earlier revealed that 58 percent of respondents said the revision was meant to ensure that only citizens vote. However, 17 percent believed that the move was aimed at supporting the ruling party. 12 per cent respondents, meanwhile, raised suspicion over the timing of the exercise.
Also Read: 58% back Election Commission’s voter roll revision in Bihar, reveals Mood of the Nation survey
What is SIR?
The Special Intensive Revision, which took place between June 25 to September 30, marked the first large-scale audit of Bihar’s electoral rolls since 2003. Close to 30 million people were required to provide proof of birth details and place of origin.
According to the EC, the drive is meant to clean up the voter rolls by deleting duplicates, correcting inaccuracies, and accounting for migration patterns and demographic changes.
Yet the initiative drew sharp criticism, with Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and Mamata Banerjee claiming it echoes the NRC and could disenfranchise marginalised groups, especially with assembly elections approaching.
The SIR's findings have reduced the total number of 7.9 crore registered voters in Bihar, from before the exercise, to 7.24 crore.
Bihar Assembly Elections
This year, the Bihar elections will be held in two phases. The voting in the first phase will be held on November 6, and in the second phase, it will be held on November 11. The results will be declared on November 14.
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