"Where will poor people get so many documents from?": Tejashwi Yadav questions ECI's "hasty" SIR in Bihar

Patna (Bihar) [India], July 23 (ANI): Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday raised concerns over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for voter lists in Bihar, questioning its timing, impartiality, and feasibility, especially for the state’s large migrant population.

He criticised the requirement of 11 documents for voter registration, questioning how the poor would manage to produce such paperwork. 

"I asked for only four things. The voter list was first published in February, and after the Lok Sabha elections, a revision could have been done. Instead, they are rushing everything now. They are demanding 11 documents, which poor people do not have. Where will poor people get so many documents in just 25 days?" Tejashwi highlighted the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged citizens, underscoring the issues they encounter.

The Election Commission requires new voters to submit 11 documents, including identity proof, birth certificates, residence certificates, Aadhaar cards, and mobile numbers.

Tejashwi argued that this process would unfairly burden the poor, illiterate, and rural populations, potentially disenfranchising them.

Tejashwi also highlighted the significant digital divide in the state, emphasizing the need for practical considerations in implementing such processes.

Citing data from the Rajya Sabha, he noted, "Our party raised a question, and the Labour Ministry responded that 3 crore Biharis are registered as labourers living outside the state. When including unregistered individuals, approximately 4.3 crore Biharis reside outside Bihar for employment and other reasons. They return to vote during elections, but it is still feared that now the Election Commission (EC) will say it will remove them from the voter list."

Opposition MLAs wore black attire to register their protest against the voter list revision and law and order issues in the state 

Tejashwi questioned the ECI’s authority, stating, "Who is the EC to decide citizenship? Their role is only to conduct a smooth election process." He pointed out that the matter is under judicial review, adding, "This matter is ongoing in the Supreme Court, where the EC has submitted a 780-page affidavit proving there are no infiltrators from Nepal, Myanmar, or Bangladesh. When the EC itself accepts there are no infiltrators, why this haste?"

He further criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying, "The BJP, with 52,986 registered Booth Level Agents (BLAs), never raised the issue of foreign citizens with the ECI."

Reiterating his party’s stance, Tejashwi said, "The Constitution has given all citizens equal voting rights. We are not opposing the SIR process, but we certainly have questions about the Election Commission's impartiality. In 2003, it took one and a half years to complete this process. It's the rainy season in Bihar right now; how will people fill out forms?"

He also questioned the exclusion of key identification documents, asking, "Why aren't Aadhaar and ration cards linked to this process? The Election Commission should have held a press conference on this."

Tejashwi also criticised that people are being called Bangladeshis, Nepalis, and Myanmars, which is highly objectionable.

A heated debate erupted in the Bihar Assembly over voter list revision, with Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar engaging in a sharp exchange.

Tejashwi criticised the requirement of 11 documents for voter registration, questioning how the poor would manage to produce such paperwork. Nitish Kumar responded heatedly, suggesting Tejashwi was speaking nonsense and was too young to understand such matters when his parents were in power.

 The Chief Minister defended the government's record, claiming significant work had been done for women, minorities, and backward classes. He asserted that the government would go to the people based on its achievements.

The opposition's protest led to significant disruptions in the Assembly, with lawmakers from both sides engaging in heated exchanges. The Speaker had to intervene multiple times to restore order.

Amid the commotion, Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav adjourned the Bihar Assembly until 2 PM.

The Election Commission has defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, stating it strengthens election integrity by removing ineligible voters from the rolls. (ANI)