New Delhi, Aug 26: With five days left before the claims and objections window closes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday said it has so far received 1.62 lakh applications from voters in Bihar seeking inclusion or deletion of names in the draft electoral rolls. However, political parties have filed only 10 objections.
Of the total 1,62,453 applications received from voters, 17,516 have already been disposed of by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). The claims and objections period, which began on August 1, will remain open till September 1.
The Commission said the CPI(ML) Liberation is the only political party to have filed objections so far, submitting 10 complaints related to errors in the draft rolls. It expressed concern that despite repeated appeals, political parties have not engaged actively in the revision exercise.
Meanwhile, since August 1, as many as 4,33,214 new electors who turned 18 after the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) have applied for inclusion in the rolls. The ECI said individuals, parties, and their 1.6 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) were provided a month-long opportunity to point out discrepancies.
Among major parties, the RJD has deputed 47,506 BLAs, the Congress 17,549, and Left parties over 2,000, together accounting for more than 67,000 representatives.
The Commission clarified that no name in the draft rolls, published on August 1, can be deleted without a formal “speaking order” after enquiry and due process. Lists of excluded names with reasons have been uploaded on DEO and CEO websites for verification.
The ECI urged eligible voters to submit claims in Form 6 with Aadhaar and file objections in Form 7 by September 1, reiterating that error-free rolls are vital for a robust democracy.
