Public Hearing in Bihar Demands Cancellation of SIR Amid Voter Disenfranchisement Concerns

Last Updated Jul - 22 - 2025, 05:21 PM | Source : Fela news

Civil society groups in Bihar held a Jan Sunwai on the SIR process, highlighting issues like forced payments, document challenges, and voter exclusion. Experts

Public Hearing in Bihar Demands Cancellation

On Monday, July 21, 2025, several people's organisations and movements in Bihar held a day-long public hearing in Patna to address growing concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. Held at the Bihar Industries Association (BIA), the Jan Sunwai was jointly organised by groups such as Bharat Jodo Abhiyan, Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), Samar Charitable Trust, Swaraj Abhiyan, and Kosi Navnirman Manch.

A panel comprising former Patna High Court judge Anjana Prakash, ex-Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah, economist Jean Drèze, sociologist Nandini Sundar, former A N Sinha Institute director D. M. Diwakar, and Forward Press founder Bhanwar Meghwanshi heard testimonies from participants across 14 districts. Many shared distressing experiences with the SIR process, including illiterate voters being forced to pay around ₹100 per form for assistance, and several people reporting that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) submitted forms on their behalf without signatures or consent.

Residents such as Kanchan Devi and Rukma Devi from Katihar said they were charged money to get forms filled. Ram Chandra Prasad of Nalanda mentioned that he would take legal action after not receiving an acknowledgment slip post-submission. Phool Kumari Devi, a labourer, narrated how she sold her food rations to afford a passport photo and went hungry for two days while collecting documents required by BLOs. Several voters stated they were misinformed or not contacted by BLOs at all, with forms instead distributed by ward members, Anganwadi workers, or even sanitation staff. In flood-prone areas like the Kosi region, many people said their documents had been destroyed.

Jean Drèze, after hearing the testimonies, questioned the purpose of the SIR, stating that even after reading the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) 20-page notification, its objective remained unclear. However, he warned that its outcome could disenfranchise a large section of voters. He cited a survey by Bharat Jodo Abhiyan that showed 37% of people lacked the necessary documents. Drèze strongly argued for scrapping the SIR, calling it unfeasible and damaging to the integrity of the voter list.

Anjana Prakash observed that many rural citizens would struggle to meet the document requirements, while Wajahat Habibullah criticised the ECI for placing unnecessary burdens on voters instead of facilitating participation. Meghwanshi called the process a direct threat to the Constitution’s promise of political equality, and Professor Diwakar warned that democracy is slipping away from the people. Nandini Sundar echoed these concerns, calling the SIR “dangerous for democracy” and urging authorities to listen to the public outcry.

Trending this week

Delhi Police Arrest Wanted Criminal Khemchand After Gunfight in Ghazipur

Jul - 22 - 2025

Delhi Police apprehended a notorious criminal after a brief shootout in the Ghazipur area of east Delhi, officials reported on Tuesday, July 22, 20... Read More

NASA-ISRO's NISAR Earth Observation Satellite to Launch on July 30 from Sriharikota

Jul - 22 - 2025

The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR), the first collaborative satellite developed by the U.S. and Indian space agencies, is scheduled for... Read More

Public Hearing in Bihar Demands Cancellation of SIR Amid Voter Disenfranchisement Concerns

Jul - 22 - 2025

On Monday, July 21, 2025, several people's organisations and movements in Bihar held a day-long public hearing in Patna to address growing concerns... Read More

DGCA Issues 9 Show-Cause Notices to Air India Amid Decline in Overall Airline Penalties

Jul - 22 - 2025

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued nine show-cause notices to Air India over five safety-related violations in the past si... Read More

Heavy Rains Lash Delhi, Cause Waterlogging and Traffic Delays; IMD Predicts More Showers

Jul - 22 - 2025

Delhi experienced a heavy spell of rain on Tuesday morning, bringing much-needed relief from the heat but causing waterlogging and traffic disrupti... Read More

Vice President Dhankhar Resigns Citing Health Reasons, Sparks Political Speculation

Jul - 22 - 2025

The sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday evening has stirred political circles nationwide, catching both the BJP and the... Read More

Public Hearing in Bihar Demands Cancellation of SIR Amid Voter Disenfranchisement Concerns

Public Hearing in Bihar Demands Cancellation of SIR Amid Voter Disenfranchisement Concerns

Trending this week

Get Connect

Explore

Education

Contact

Newsletter