In a politically charged turn ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the INDIA bloc has raised serious concerns claiming that over 5,000 residents from Uttar Pradesh were wrongly added to the electoral rolls of a neighbouring Bihar constituency, allegedly tilting the scales in favor of the ruling NDA alliance. 

The allegation landed during a heated press briefing, where opposition leaders questioned the integrity of the voter list. They pointed to duplication, questionable entries, and the potential for manipulating electoral outcomes. 

Responding swiftly, the Election Commission (EC) dismissed the charges as “imaginary,” asserting that there was no valid basis for such claims. 

Yet, private investigations have added weight to the controversy. A recent data analysis highlighted thousands of dubious or duplicate entries with UP voters appearing in Bihar’s draft lists raising serious red flags. 

And in earlier rounds of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, authorities discovered more than 11,000 “not traceable” voters, further undermining confidence in the voter registry. 

As tensions surge in this election season, what stands at stake is more than just ballot counts its public trust in democracy itself. For many citizens, the right to a fair vote isn’t a formality it’s the very essence of participation.

With election day looming, the pressure is mounting for both the Election Commission and political parties. Because in a democracy, trust must be earned, not assumed.