Bihar Elections: Tejashwi Yadav’s Voter List Complaint Sparks Controversy

Ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections, Bihar is embroiled in controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Allegations of irregularities include the inclusion of deceased individuals and the exclusion of eligible voters. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has alleged that his name is absent from the draft voter list, despite completing the required enumeration form. He questioned how he would participate in the upcoming elections. JDU responded by accusing Tejashwi of political manipulation. Tejashwi, speaking at a press conference in Patna, stated he had submitted the enumeration form, but his name was missing from the electoral roll. He mentioned that his information could not be found even after entering his EPIC number. The Patna district administration clarified that Tejashwi’s name is on the list, though his polling station and serial number have been altered. Tejashwi expressed concerns about the scale of these changes. JDU’s spokesperson, Neeraj Kumar, accused Tejashwi of ‘political fraud’. The Election Commission quickly refuted the claims of Tejashwi, confirming his name is present in the draft electoral roll. This issue has intensified the political atmosphere in Bihar. The draft electoral roll was made available, following a period where a portion of applicants submitted the required documentation. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Roll is a verification process underway in Bihar in preparation for upcoming elections. The Chief Electoral Officer and 243 Electoral Officers will take into consideration objections from voters or recognized political parties regarding any discrepancies within the electoral roll. Objections can be filed between August 1, 2025, and September 1, 2025. The ECI’s aim is to ensure all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll in a transparent manner. The last intensive revision happened in 2003. Voters can access their details via the ECI Website.