The Election Commission of India (ECI) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding the issue of voter deletions in Bihar, stating that the details of nearly 65 lakh dropped voters have been published on official websites. This clarification comes in response to petitions filed in the apex court, where concerns have been raised over the alleged large-scale removal of voters from electoral rolls.
According to the affidavit, the ECI emphasized that the deletions were carried out as part of the routine revision of electoral rolls, which is conducted across all states. The Commission explained that names are removed from the voter list in cases such as migration, death, duplication, or ineligibility. It further stated that the process followed in Bihar was consistent with the standard procedures outlined in the Representation of the People Act and related rules.
The affidavit stressed that the entire process was transparent and that sufficient opportunities were given to citizens to raise objections or file claims regarding their names. The publication of the draft electoral roll and the final roll was done on official websites and displayed at designated locations across the state to ensure accessibility. The ECI highlighted that the figure of 65 lakh removed voters was spread across multiple revision cycles, not in a single instance, and was in line with demographic and electoral data updates.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued a notice to the ECI after petitions claimed that the large number of voter deletions in Bihar could potentially disenfranchise a significant section of the population. The petitioners argued that the process lacked proper verification and that many genuine voters may have been unfairly excluded.
In its defense, the ECI reiterated that robust verification mechanisms were in place and that booth-level officers, along with field officials, conducted checks before deletions were approved. The Commission also stated that any voter whose name has been deleted has the right to reapply for inclusion through the prescribed forms, ensuring that no eligible citizen is permanently disenfranchised.
Political reactions to the issue have been strong, with opposition parties questioning the timing and scale of the deletions. They argue that such a large number of dropped voters could impact electoral outcomes and demand that the process be reviewed in detail. Meanwhile, ruling party leaders have backed the ECI’s clarification, stating that routine revisions are essential to maintain the accuracy of the voter rolls.
The Supreme Court is expected to examine the affidavit and the responses from petitioners in upcoming hearings. Observers note that the case could set an important precedent on the issue of transparency and accountability in the electoral roll revision process, particularly in states with large populations like Bihar.
In conclusion, the affidavit filed by the ECI has brought clarity on the procedure behind the removal of 65 lakh voters in Bihar. However, with the Supreme Court taking up the matter, the final verdict will determine whether additional measures are required to safeguard electoral rights and ensure public confidence in the system.
