Some of the key issues before the Special Intensive Revision was announced included job crisis in Bihar, youth leaving the state in search of livelihoods, education and better future, its strained healthcare system, law and order, crimes against women and marginalised, caste and identity politics, but the opposition focus has now shifted to SIR
Amid the ongoing protests in Bihar and the Parliament over the controversial Special Intensive Revision ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday hinted that his party may boycott the 2025 polls scheduled later this year
The remarks at a press interaction sparked speculations whether this was a real possibility or just a threat amid the growing concerns over SIR that has thrown the plans of the Opposition in the state ruled by the NDA into a tizzy.
Some of the key issues before the Special Intensive Revision was announced included Bihar’s job crisis, its youth leaving the state in search of livelihoods, education and better future, its strained healthcare system, law and order, crimes against women and marginalised, caste and identity politics, but the opposition focus has now shifted to SIR.
Those aware of the political developments in Bihar say that before the announcement of the SIR, the opposition camp comprising RJD, Congress and Left parties were riding high on positive ground reports and a strategy to target Chief Minister Nitish Kuma on various issues, all of which now appear irrelevant at this point
Has the BJP scored a hit with SIR remains to be seen but as Bihar heats up politically all eyes will now be on the RJD’s next move.
Leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav said many things in his press conference but what stood out was his allegation that SIR was commissioned by BJP to “undermine the democratic process and manipulate voter data”.
“If they want to win the elections through fraudulent means, then what’s the point of conducting them?” he told reporters in Patna, questioning the authenticity of emerging data about illegal immigrants infiltrating the electoral rolls through fraud.
Tejashwi said he wouldn’t rule out RJD skipping an electoral process it didn’t believe in. “Ho sakta hai (That is possible). We will consult our (INDIA bloc) partners and the people before taking a final call,” he said at a joint press conference with INDIA bloc partners.
Congress backed RJD’s stand, saying it was aware of allegedly large scale irregularities in revision of the rolls while Left parties said it was “too early to say anything about a poll boycott” but acknowledged Tejashwi’s concerns about many names being struck off the electoral rolls.
According to ruling JD(U), the boycott threat reflected opposition’s apprehension about their grim prospects in the elections
Special Intensive Revision
Amid the ongoing opposition protests in the Parliament on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission Wednesday said that seven lakh electors have been found to be enrolled at more than one place while one lakh electors are untraceable
The first phase is near completion and on “August 1 at the completion of the first phase of SIR, the Draft Electoral Roll will be published,” the EC’ statement said.
“No eligible elector to be left out, no ineligible person to be included,” the EC said.
Till July 23, 98.01% electors have been covered; 20 lakh deceased electors reported; 28 lakh permanently migrated electors reported; 7 lakh electors found enrolled at more than one place; 1 lakh electors untraceable; 15 lakh electors’ Forms not returned; 7.17 crore electors’ forms (90.89%) received and digitised
In case there is any error in the Draft Electoral Roll, electors or political parties can file an objection with the concerned ERO or AERO of that Assembly Constituency by September 1. “Similarly, if any eligible person does not find their name in the Draft Electoral Roll, they can file their claims up to 1 September 2025,” it said
