The INDIA bloc staged widespread protests across Bihar on Wednesday, calling for a ‘Bihar Bandh’ in opposition to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Congress workers blocked railway tracks at Sachiwalay Halt station, while RJD student wing members obstructed trains at Jehanabad, and protesters burned tyres and halted traffic on National Highway 30 in Maner, Patna district.
Independent MP Pappu Yadav, joining the demonstration, lashed out at the Election Commission, accusing it of “destroying the lives of poor people” and raising slogans like “Chunav Aayog hosh mein aayo.”
Earlier, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav voiced serious concerns about the SIR process, claiming that millions of poor voters risk losing their names from the electoral rolls due to lack of access to the 11 identification documents mandated for verification.
“The EC hasn’t clarified anything yet. People in Bihar mostly have Aadhaar, MGNREGA, or ration cards. If names are removed just because they lack the 11 listed documents, it will disenfranchise a large number of poor voters,” Tejashwi said.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission defended the SIR process, stating that the exercise is progressing smoothly, with over 46.95% of Enumeration Forms collected in the first 14 days, and nearly 98% of forms distributed to electors.
According to the EC, over 3.7 crore forms have been submitted so far, out of nearly 7.9 crore electors in the state. The EC added that many electors are voluntarily submitting documents as per the SIR guidelines issued on June 24.
The opposition, however, continues to allege that the voter list revision is politically motivated and could lead to mass voter disenfranchisement, particularly among marginalized communities.