NGO moves SC against EC’s Bihar voter list revision drive

A prominent non-governmental organization (NGO) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging the Election Commission’s ongoing voter list revision drive in the state of Bihar, alleging that the exercise is arbitrary, opaque, and in violation of fundamental rights.

The petitioner, whose name is yet to be publicly disclosed, has argued that the voter list revision drive initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Bihar lacks proper guidelines and transparency. The NGO claims that the drive is being carried out without sufficient public awareness, safeguards, or third-party oversight, leading to the risk of large-scale exclusion of eligible voters, particularly among the poor, marginalized, and rural communities.

Allegations of Constitutional Violation

In the petition, the NGO contends that the ongoing revision exercise violates Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution, as it fails to follow a uniform, transparent process that safeguards the rights of all citizens.

The plea also questions whether the Election Commission consulted state authorities or followed due process while revising the electoral rolls. The petitioners have urged the Supreme Court to issue an immediate interim stay on the process and appoint a court-monitored independent committee to review the process in Bihar.

Concerns Over Exclusion of Voters

According to the petition, multiple reports have surfaced of eligible voters being arbitrarily deleted from the rolls or asked to re-verify their identities without proper cause. The NGO alleges that the lack of clear communication and bureaucratic hurdles could lead to the disenfranchisement of lakhs of voters, ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

It also highlights that vulnerable groups—such as migrant workers, women, the elderly, and tribal populations—may be disproportionately impacted, as many of them lack the necessary documents or face logistical challenges in complying with the verification process.

What the Election Commission Says

As of now, the Election Commission has not officially responded to the Supreme Court petition. However, earlier this week, the Commission had defended its voter list revision efforts in Bihar, stating that the move was aimed at ensuring clean, accurate, and updated electoral rolls and that it follows all standard procedures under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The Commission also emphasized that voters have multiple opportunities to check, verify, and appeal any changes made to the rolls through both offline and online platforms, including the National Voter Service Portal (NVSP).

Next Steps in Court

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the petition early next week. Legal experts say the case could have broader implications on how voter list revisions are carried out across the country, especially in states preparing for elections.

If the court admits the petition, it may direct the Election Commission to suspend the revision drive temporarily or issue guidelines to ensure greater transparency and accountability.