Lok Sabha: Manickam Tagore moves adjournment motion notice to discuss "irregularities" in Bihar SIR drive

New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday morning moved an adjournment motion notice to discuss "irregularities" in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being carried out by the Election Commission (EC) in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
In the notice, Tagore argued that the Lower House must discuss the "large-scale deletion" of names from electoral rolls in Bihar, claiming "unjustified" inclusion of voters with the removal of 12 per cent of voters.
"That this House do adjourn to take up discussion on the large-scale deletion of names from electoral rolls under the ongoing Statewide Intensive Revision (SIR), particularly in Bihar, where over 12 per cent of voters have been removed and unjustified inclusions have also been reported," the notice read.
Tagore said that the happenings in the SIR drive have raised concerns regarding fairness and transparency in the revision process. He says that the delay in discussing the matter in Parliament undermines faith in the democratic process.
"This has raised serious apprehensions about the fairness and transparency of the revision process and its impact on citizens fundamental right to vote. The continued refusal to allow Parliament to discuss this issue not only violates the House's oversight role over public institutions but also undermines faith in the democratic process," it added.
Several MPs have moved the adjournment motion notices to discuss various issues of public importance, including the SIR exercise being carried out by the EC in Bihar. The Parliament has witnessed frequent adjournments amid protests by opposition members, who have been demanding a detailed parliamentary discussion on the matter.
Meanwhile, the floor leaders of the INDIA bloc will be meeting at 10:00 AM in the office of the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in Parliament. The INDIA bloc MPs will protest against SIR, raising the issue at 10:30 AM before Makkar Dawar in Parliament premises today, with a slogan "Our Vote, Our Right, Our Fight."
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had said last week that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules, but there cannot be a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, the Election Commission of India.
"I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time..." Rijiju told ANI.
The Lok Sabha will begin its proceedings today with obituary references to the passing away of former MPs Tilakdhari Prasad Singh, Ram Rati Bind, and Shibu Soren.
According to the List of Business issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is scheduled to move amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, for consideration and passage in the House. The Union Sports Minister will also move the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in the lower house of the Parliament. (ANI)