The dusty roads of Bihar’s hinterlands are echoing with allegations of a democratic theft so vast it could decide the fate of the state. As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continues his ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra,’ he is levelling a grave charge: a systematic partnership between the ruling BJP and the Election Commission of India to disenfranchise millions by deleting their names from the electoral rolls. The controversy, centering on a recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR), has ignited a political firestorm, putting the integrity of India’s electoral process under a microscope.

How Can Voters Protect Their Rights Against Alleged Electoral Manipulation?

This is the central question gripping Bihar’s political landscape. Gandhi’s yatra is strategically designed to empower citizens with this exact knowledge. During addresses in Nawada and Nalanda, he urged crowds to physically verify their names on the electoral list, a direct response to his claim that a staggering 65 lakh voters have been deleted in the state’s recent SIR exercise. He presented a live example: a polling agent from a previous election who found his own name mysteriously missing. “People of Bihar will come to ask you (EC) to give an affidavit,” Gandhi declared, challenging the poll body’s authority. The Opposition’s prescribed best practice is clear: proactive verification and public pressure. They allege the “vote chori” (vote theft) is executed by manipulating the very infrastructure of democracy—the voters’ list—before a single ballot is cast.

Gandhi’s allegations extend far beyond administrative errors, painting a picture of a deliberate, nationwide pattern. He cited analyses from the recent Lok Sabha elections, claiming over one lakh fake voters were recorded in one assembly segment of the Bangalore Central seat. He further alleged electoral manipulation in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, stating, “In Maharashtra, about one crore voters were added through magic between the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.” The core of his accusation is a “partnership” and “collusion” between the BJP and the ECI, which he claims refuses to provide machine-readable voters’ lists or permit comprehensive videography to ensure transparency. The ECI has historically maintained its neutrality and independence, often responding to such allegations with official statements and data-driven rebuttals, though a specific counter to these latest claims is awaited.

The rhetoric used by the Opposition alliance, including allies Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD and Dipankar Bhattacharya of the CPI(ML) Liberation, is aimed at connecting the electoral issue to the daily struggles of the common citizen. Gandhi framed the deletion of voter IDs as the first step in a catastrophic chain of events. “First your voter card will go, then your ration card will go and then your land would be handed over to Adani and Ambani,” he cautioned the crowds in Nawada. This narrative ties the abstract concept of electoral integrity to tangible fears about food security and land rights, positioning the fight as one for the survival of the poor against a government favoring a “few billionaires.” The yatra, therefore, merges the immediate goal of voter registration with a broader critique of economic policies like GST and demonetisation, which they claim are designed to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the common Indian.

The ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra across Bihar has transformed from a political campaign into a litmus test for democratic trust. With allegations of 65 lakh deletions in the Bihar voter list, the demand for absolute transparency from the Election Commission has never been more urgent. For the millions whose franchise is allegedly under threat, verifying your voting status is the most powerful first step to safeguarding not just your vote, but your fundamental rights.

Must Know

Q: What is the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar?
A: An SIR is a special drive conducted by the Election Commission to intensively review and update the voter list, often to remove duplicate, inaccurate, or ineligible entries. The Opposition alleges this process has been misused to legitimately delete a large number of valid voters.

Q: How can I check if my name is on the Bihar voter list?
A: You can check your voter status online through the Electoral Search facility on the National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP) or the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Bihar website. You can also visit your local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or ring the Voter Helpline (1950).

Q: What did Rahul Gandhi mean by “vote chori”?
A: “Vote chori” or vote theft is the term he uses to describe the alleged manipulation of the electoral process through means like deleting legitimate voter names, enrolling fake voters, and collusion between the ruling party and election officials to sway results before polling day.

Q: Which other states did Gandhi accuse of electoral manipulation?
A: In his speeches, Gandhi specifically pointed to alleged “stolen” elections or voter list manipulation in the states of Haryana, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

Q: What is the goal of the Voter Adhikar Yatra?
A: The yatra’s stated goal is to raise public awareness about the alleged mass deletion of voter names, mobilize citizens to verify their registration, and pressure the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair electoral process in Bihar.

Q: What has the Election Commission said about these allegations?
A: Based on the provided content, the Election Commission has not yet issued a public response to these specific allegations raised during the yatra. The EC typically follows a formal process for addressing complaints from political parties.