In this eye-opening episode of Molitics, we delve deep into the ongoing controversies surrounding Bihar's upcoming assembly elections and the SIR (Systematic Internal Review) process of the Election Commission of India. With the election dates announced, the focus has shifted to voter lists, alleged manipulation, and the transparency of India’s electoral process.
The SIR process, which began on June 24, was intended to identify duplicate entries, dead voters, and irregularities among migrant voters. However, investigations by The Reporters’ Collective reveal shocking discrepancies. Despite claims by the Election Commission and BLOs (Booth Level Officers) of door-to-door verification, millions of voters are still registered under fake or dubious addresses, with many holding duplicate voter IDs. In Bihar alone, over 14 lakh duplicate voters and more than 1.3 crore voters with suspicious addresses have been identified. Certain constituencies, such as Pipra, Barachatti, and Matihani, show hundreds of voters registered under a single fictitious address, highlighting a massive flaw in the system.
Prominent political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, have raised serious allegations regarding voter deletion and fake registrations, suggesting potential favoritism toward BJP. Despite Supreme Court oversight, the Election Commission has largely remained unresponsive to these concerns, raising questions about impartiality and accountability.
Watch this episode to understand the scale of potential election irregularities, the role of the Election Commission, and the challenges facing democratic processes in Bihar. Get insights into the SIR process, the numbers behind the controversy, and the political stakes involved in one of India’s most closely watched state elections.