EC makes big statement on Bihar electoral roll controversy, says SIR being done to...
Bihar electoral roll controversy: The Election Commission on Sunday said the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar was progressing as per its order and the draft list would contain the names of existing voters whose enumeration forms were received.
The EC statement comes amid social media posts about a 'change' in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, following an outcry from opposition parties. A social media post from the Bihar chief electoral officer (CEO) made it clear that the exercise was being undertaken 'exactly' as per the notification of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
'Important Information – SIR in Bihar is progressing as per ECI's order dated 24 June 2025. As per that order, the draft electoral rolls that will be issued on August 1, 2025 will contain the names of the existing electors whose enumeration forms are received,' the CEO said in a post on X and Facebook.
'All measures are being taken to facilitate the existing electors to complete the documentation. These existing voters will have time to submit the documents even after first submitting their enumeration forms. All activities are exactly as per ECI's order dated 24.06.2025', the CEO added.
The clarification comes close on the heels of an ECI advertisement in newspapers which stated that those who did not have the requisite documents at hand could 'submit only their enumeration forms' to the officials concerned. This had led to a perception that the ECI had gone back on many of the contentious parts of the mammoth exercise which, according to parties in the opposition, had become a virtual test of citizenship.
Netizens flooded the social media with posts about the perceived 'change', though the CEO made no mention of these in its statement.
The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which is being carried out only in Bihar, where assembly polls are due in about a couple of months, has been opposed by the INDIA bloc. INDIA bloc parties have also decided to flag the issue in the state on July 9 as part of a nationwide strike called by Left-leaning trade unions.
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Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Officials can also rely on field inquiry for inclusion of names in Bihar rolls: EC
Election Commission NEW DELHI: Amid claims and counter-claims over the special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar electoral rolls, Election Commission officials said Sunday that the poll panel's guidelines, issued on June 24, allow electors to add documents after submitting their enumeration forms, till July 25 and even during the 'claims and objections' period. Besides, electoral registration officers can rely on field inquiry or alternative proof - beyond the 11 documents listed by EC for citizenship - to decide on an elector's inclusion. The list, a source said, is "indicative and not exhaustive". 11 documents specified to prove eligibility indicative: EC Official EROs (electoral registration officers) are empowered under the law to take a call on what documents, other than those specifically mentioned, can be taken into account, the source said. They, however, clarified that Aadhaar may still not be accepted as an alternative document, since it is merely a proof of identity - defining that the 10 fingerprints, iris and photo belong to the person in whose name Aadhaar is issued - and does not establish that person's citizenship or date of birth. "SIR is being conducted as per the instructions issued by EC on June 24, 2025. There is no change in the instructions. Draft electoral roll that will be issued on Aug 1, 2025, will contain the names of persons whose enumeration forms are received by July 25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The electors can submit their documents any time before July 25. After publication of draft roll, if any document is deficient, EROs can obtain such documents from electors whose name appears in the draft roll during scrutiny in the 'claims and objections' period," CEC Gyanesh Kumar told TOI on Sunday. Importantly, a senior EC functionary clarified that the list of 11 documents specified by EC to prove one's eligibility for inclusion in the roll - as per Article 326 of the Constitution and provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 - is indicative and not exhaustive, and that the ERO has powers under the law to satisfy himself about the eligibility of a person to be enrolled as an elector on the basis of any other document or local inquiry if he deems fit. However, the ERO must make a "speaking order", recording in writing the reasons for such inclusion or exclusion. Even the ERO's decision is subject to a two-stage appellate process after publication of final roll, first at the level of district magistrate and then the chief electoral officer (CEO). A reading of the SIR guidelines dated June 24 confirms this. The text above the list of 11 documents mentioned in the declaration form to be signed by the elector not included in Bihar's 2003 electoral roll clearly states that the list is "indicative (not exhaustive)". "The advertisement (issued by Bihar chief electoral officer in some newspapers on Sunday) is in conformity with the SIR instructions issued by EC on June 24," the CEC told TOI. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused BJP of conspiring to deprive the people of Bihar of their voter rights through the SIR. People will surely respond to "this BJP attack on democracy and the Constitution in the upcoming assembly elections", he said. Citing the advertisement, he alleged that "when the pressure from the opposition, the public, and civil society increased, EC hurriedly published advertisements, which state that now only a form needs to be filled, and showing documents is not necessary". The EC's clarification came even as nearly 1.7 crore enumeration forms, accounting for 21.5% of Bihar's electorate, are already collected and over 7.2% uploaded on ECINET. Meanwhile, responding to the criticism directed at EC for rushing with the SIR without prior consultation with political parties, CEC Kumar said, "During the past four months, all 4,123 EROs, all 775 district election officers and all 36 CEOs have held nearly 5,000 meetings with 28,000 political party representatives. EC has also invited all recognised political parties for interaction. No one was satisfied with the current status of electoral rolls for one reason or the other. "
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
LatAm pivot
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. India must shed its protectionist mindset and trade more with resource-rich South America That Modi's ongoing five-nation tour includes Argentina and Brazil isn't a trivia. These two key South American nations can be important fulcrums of a potential Indian pivot to the continent. While India-South America trade has been steadily growing, it's far below potential. This has much to do with our unambitious approach to the region. True, India has a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with MERCOSUR bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. The idea was that the PTA would be gradually expanded and upgraded to a free trade agreement (FTA). However, progress has been really slow and India's exports to Latin America in FY2025 stood at just $15.17bn – less than 2% of the region's total imports. But trade is back on the agenda during Modi's visits, and rightly so. While one still hopes that an India-US trade deal can be clinched, New Delhi must be prepared for all eventualities. And with Trump keen on using tariffs as a strategic weapon to achieve geopolitical goals – take the Lindsey Graham-proposed bill to hit countries buying Russian oil with 500% tariff – India must diversify its trade relations. South America is a natural resources powerhouse. With vast deposits of oil, gas, copper, lithium, rare earths etc it can power India's industrial growth, advance critical sectors like EV batteries, and bolster food security. The key for GOI would be to expand its diplomatic bandwidth and take a courageous approach to trade. We must cast away the protectionist mindset and be ready to compete. That's the only way beneficial FTAs can be worked out. Vietnam, which recently worked out a trade deal with US, has been following precisely this strategy, having inked 20 FTAs, with 16 already implemented. China already has a huge presence in Latin America. So, the latter is looking for balance. This is the perfect time for India to step up. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Samosa for 5 paise, BEST bus 5: CJI on nostalgic trip at Girgaum school
Mumbai: Supreme Court Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai on Sunday visited Chikitsak Samuh High School, Girgaum where he studied from classes 3 to 7, between 1969 and 1973, in Marathi medium. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CJI praised his teachers for shaping him, crediting the debating skills he honed there and values of equality and social benevolence inculcated in students for his rise to the topmost post in the Indian judiciary. Walking down memory lane, the CJI shared nostalgic moments. "Mother would give me 20 paise. I would walk towards Mantralaya to catch BEST bus 5 to Gaiwadi and walk some more to school The bus ticket cost 5 paise. In those days, a samosa patti would cost 5 paise with home-made jam, and misal pavcost 10 paise." The school was then surrounded by chawls. "...The chawls are still visible from the school. The Marathi sanskriti is still intact here. This is part of the real 'amchi Mumbai'," he said in Marathi to a gathering of his former batchmates, teachers, and current school students, some of whom, as part of NCC, practised hard to form a band within six months to welcome him. "Of all welcomes I received so far across India and even abroad as CJI, the little children's performance today as a band was the warmest," Justice Gavai gushed. "I was interested in debates. My journey in public speaking began on this stage. Also, PT class by Joshi sir induced the necessary discipline in us as students. Studying in Marathi medium was not a handicap; it grounded me," he added. Chikitsak is now an English medium ICSE school as well. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CJI, who is due to retire in November, met his classmates who finished 10th in 1976. He met old school staff and, most of all, remembered one teacher whose signature on his school leaving certificate was the memento he was presented with. He advised young students to work hard, be honest. The three-storey school building in Sadashiv Cross Lane has no lifts. On Sunday, local MLA and minister, MP Lodha, who was also present, promised to help with paperwork to install one.
