Bihar electoral revision infringes on promise of universal adult franchise, says civil rights group

Non-governmental organisation People’s Union for Civil Liberties told the Election Commission on Friday that its decision to conduct a special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar infringed on the constitutional promise of universal adult franchise.

The organisation said that the exercise was ill-advised and hasty, and that it would only “serve to exclude those without requisite documentation”.

The special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar was announced by the Election Commission on June 24, ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in the state at the end of the year.

As part of the exercise, persons whose names are not on the 2003 voter list will need to submit proof of eligibility to vote. This means that 2.93 crore out of the state’s total 7.89 crore voters – or about 37% of the electors – will have to submit documentary evidence.

Voters born before July 1, 1987 must show proof of their date and place of birth, while those born between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004 must also submit documents establishing the date and place of birth of one of their parents. Those born after December 2, 2004 will need proof of date of birth for themselves and both parents.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties on Friday remarked that ordinarily, the burden...

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