Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a comprehensive, 100% review of the electoral rolls in Bihar, a proactive move it says is necessary to "remove all doubt" about the integrity of the voting process. The commission directly linked this decision to what it described as "vicious and unfounded" attacks by opposition parties following the recent Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.
The move comes after allegations surfaced in the Mumbai North West constituency, where an opposition candidate claimed a relative of the winning candidate used a mobile phone inside a counting center to potentially influence an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Though the returning officer swiftly dismissed the claim as false, stating the phone could not interface with the EVM, the ECI noted that such narratives can damage public trust.
In a letter to Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer, the ECI stated it is "imperative to remove all doubt" before the state's assembly elections next year. The goal is to create an "absolutely error-free" voter list to preemptively counter any similar allegations.
The massive verification drive in Bihar will involve:
- 100% house-to-house checks by election officials.
- Identifying and removing the names of deceased, permanently shifted, or duplicate voters.
- Verifying photo entries to ensure accuracy and prevent impersonation.
- Cross-referencing data with information from various local registrars.
This significant undertaking is a direct response to the politically charged atmosphere surrounding elections. By launching this audit now, the Election Commission aims to fortify the electoral framework in Bihar, ensuring that the voter lists are as clean and accurate as possible ahead of the crucial 2025 assembly polls.
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