New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has staunchly defended the Centre-backed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s voter rolls, dismissing opposition claims of voter suppression ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing the controversy, Kumar emphasized the constitutional duty of the Election Commission to maintain a clean and accurate electoral roll. “How can we allow fake votes in the name of dead, migrated, or foreign voters? This cleanup is essential to uphold the integrity of India’s democracy,” he said. The Election Commission revealed that around 56 lakh names are being marked for deletion, including 20 lakh deceased voters, 28 lakh who have moved out of the state, 7 lakh registered in multiple places, and 1 lakh untraceable individuals. Additionally, 15 lakh voters who failed to return verification forms could also be excluded from the final list. The move has sparked backlash from opposition parties, who accuse the government of attempting to disenfranchise certain voter groups. The matter is currently under review by the Supreme Court, which has instructed the poll body to ensure transparency and due process, including the right to appeal. Concerns have also been raised over the reported non-acceptance of Aadhaar and Voter ID cards during verification. Despite legal scrutiny, Kumar reiterated the Commission’s commitment to fair elections and its resistance to being misled by those seeking to exploit the electoral system.
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