"Why did this exercise not happen then?": Bihar Congress Chief raises concern over electoral roll revision

Patna (Bihar) [India], July 13 (ANI): Bihar Congress President Rajesh Kumar on Sunday expressed strong concerns over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Speaking on the recent Supreme Court decision allowing the Election Commission to conduct a special investigation, Kumar questioned the necessity of the SIR, given that the electoral roll was updated in January 2025.
Rajesh Kumar said that the move has exposed flaws in the electoral process and raised serious concerns about the credibility of the 2025 election results. He implied that the 2025 elections, which the central government won, might also be flawed if the current electoral roll revision is necessary.
While speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they had the figures with them. What was the problem with the electoral roll of 6 January 2025, which was finally printed? Within 25 days, they had to redo the process. This means the 2025 elections that the central government has won are also wrong, so why did this exercise not happen then?"
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat accused the Opposition of politicising the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and sought to know who all experienced "stomach aches" when the Election Commission reviews the voter list.
"It is the Election Commission's right and responsibility to conduct the elections in accordance with the system provided by the Constitution, to conduct them fairly, without any controversy. If the Election Commission reviews the voter list regarding the fairness of the elections, then that is a matter of their jurisdiction," Shekhawat told reporters.
"There is no need for anyone to have any doubt or suspicion in this. However, some tried to politicise this issue. The Supreme Court verdict was also issued on the same lines. My second question is: Which people are experiencing stomachaches if the Election Commission reviews the voter list after the Supreme Court's order?" he later added.
Earlier, the Election Commission of India said 80.11 per cent electors in Bihar submitted their forms, adding that the commission is moving ahead to complete the collection of Enumeration Forms (EFs) before the stipulated time, July 25.
These efforts of ECI are being supplemented 1.5 Lakh BLAs appointed by all political parties who are also visiting door to door and leaving no stone unturned to ensure inclusion of each and every existing elector whose names are in the Electoral Roll in Bihar as on 24 June 2025. Special efforts are also being made to assist senior citizens, PwD electors, and other vulnerable groups by over 4 lakh volunteers.
In order to get their names included in the draft electoral rolls to be published on 1st Aug, electors have to submit their EFS, preferably, along with eligibility documents.
In case any elector needs more time to submit the eligibility documents, he can submit them separately till 30 Aug, i.e. the last date of filing claims and objections and take the help of volunteers as well. (ANI)