ECI terms allegations of Muslim voter exclusion in Bihar as 'communal', defends revision process
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday submitted before the Supreme Court that allegations of disproportionate exclusion of Muslim voters from the electoral rolls in Bihar were “communal” and unfounded. The Commission defended the accuracy of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and maintained that the revision process adhered to all legal and procedural standards.
In its affidavit filed before a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, the ECI refuted claims made by petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and political activist Yogendra Yadav, who alleged that Muslims were disproportionately removed from the electoral rolls during the revision process.
According to the petitioners, 25% of the 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft roll and 34% of the 3.66 lakh voters ultimately deleted were identified as Muslims, based on name-recognition software. The ECI, however, contested both the methodology and the intent behind such claims.
“The Petitioners have sought to allege disproportionate exclusion of Muslims… This is based on some software for name recognition, whose authenticity, accuracy or appropriateness cannot be commented upon,” the ECI stated in its affidavit. “This communal approach is to be deprecated. Electoral Rolls database does not capture any information on the religion of any elector.”
The ECI also highlighted the limited engagement from political parties and civil society actors during the SIR process, despite opportunities for public participation and correction.
“Finalisation of the electoral roll involves an interplay of all stakeholders. While it is the duty of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to finalise the roll, political parties and electors are equally responsible for ensuring accuracy and inclusiveness,” the affidavit noted.
The Commission pointed out that over 90,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were deployed, and multiple house-to-house (H2H) verification visits were carried out. It added that all directions from the Supreme Court were followed, and data related to inclusions and deletions were uploaded online.
Despite this, the Commission noted that the number of objections and correction applications received was minimal, suggesting that the revision exercise was comprehensive and accurate.
During the hearing, the petitioners requested the Court to direct the ECI to publish the names of those added or deleted from the final voters’ list. The Court took note of the Commission’s assurance that the names would be published and stated that it expected full compliance.
“We have no doubt that they will fulfil their responsibility… They are bound to publish. We are not closing the matter,” the bench observed.
Earlier, the Court had noted discrepancies between Bihar’s adult population and the number of registered voters, citing a 107% mismatch, which led to its approval of the SIR.
The matter remains under judicial consideration.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
