– Mohd.Naushad Khan
RJD MP Manoj Jha has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court. He is challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) order for a “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls.
He calls the process “hasty” and “ill-timed,” and says it targets marginalised groups. He warns that it could take away voting rights from crores of people just months ahead of Bihar’s Assembly elections.
Jha says the revision is happening without consulting political parties. He claims it is being used to carry out an “aggressive and opaque” purge of the voter list. Muslims, Dalits, and poor migrant workers will be the most affected, he argues.
He also points out that under existing law, the State must prove a person’s citizenship—not the individual. However, the revision demands that nearly 4.74 crore of Bihar’s 7.9 crore voters show documents like proof of date and place of birth. Jha says this is nearly impossible for many poor and illiterate citizens.
He questions why documents like Aadhaar, MNREGA job cards, and ration cards are not accepted. With Aadhaar coverage at over 90% in Bihar, Jha calls the exclusion “manifestly arbitrary.”
He also refers to reports in The Indian Express and The Hindu showing that people are confused and face administrative problems during the verification process.
For the 2024 General Elections, the ECI accepted Aadhaar, PAN cards, and utility bills. Jha questions why the rules have suddenly changed without explanation. He says other documents now being demanded—like caste certificates, land records, or family registers—are rare or not relevant in Bihar.
He cites the Supreme Court’s 1995 judgment in Lal Babu Hussein v. Electoral Registration Officer. He argues the ECI’s actions violate Articles 14, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution. Jha says the ECI’s June 24 order is discriminatory and arbitrary, and urges the Court to cancel it.
Jha’s case is among several filed against the revision process. Others who have approached the Court include the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), PUCL, activist Yogendra Yadav, and MP Mahua Moitra.
