"EC should be a neutral player": KC Venugopal questions timing of voter revision list in poll-bound Bihar

New Delhi [India], July 17 (ANI): Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Thursday questioned the timing of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, stating that the Election Commission of India (ECI) should act as a "neutral player" ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections.
He also alleged that the Election Commission is currently attempting to become "more loyal" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah than to their duty. The charge comes amid the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in poll-bound Bihar.
"What Rahul (Gandhi) ji is saying about the Election Commission is the reality of this country. The Election Commission should be a neutral player in conducting elections. Nowadays, the Election Commission is trying to become more loyal to Modi and Shah than their duty", the Congress MP noted.
The Congress leader also noted that the BJP's ally, the TDP, has raised concerns over the move itself. He also called for a discussion on these concerns to "save the democracy".
"Alliance partners of the BJP, the TDP themselves, are raising concerns. All political parties are raising concerns...How can you (ECI) do such an extensive exercise within two months? This question is being asked. Nobody is against any revision, but there should be sufficient time...The intention of the Election Commission is being questioned. Why are they coming in just before the Bihar elections? Your intention has to be clear. These are serious things that we need to discuss to save democracy," he told ANI.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday severely lambasted the Election Commission of India over the exercise.
"The Election Commission of India is working under the direction of the BJP office. We sensitised people about their rights; we went to the Supreme Court; even the Supreme Court gave its directions, but Gyanesh Kumar (Chief Election Commissioner) did not do a single press conference and answer anything," he told reporters here.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that it has received Enumeration Forms from over 6.99 crore electors in Bihar ahead of the scheduled release of the draft electoral roll on August 1, 2025. As per official data released on Thursday, this accounts for 88.65 per cent of the total 7,89,69,844 registered voters in the state as of June 24, 2025.
A total of 6,47,24,300 forms have already been uploaded to the system, which is 81.96 per cent of the total electorate. However, 6.85 per cent of electors, around 54.07 lakh people, have yet to submit their forms.
During the door-to-door verification process, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) found that 35,69,435 electors (4.5%) were not present at their registered addresses despite three visits. Among them, around 12.55 lakh (1.59%) are suspected to be deceased, 17.37 lakh (2.2%) are believed to have permanently shifted, and 5.76 lakh (0.73%) have been found to be enrolled at multiple places.
The Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensure comprehensive voter inclusion and transparency in the revision process. (ANI)