The People’s Union for Civil Liberties, a non-governmental organisation, criticised the Election Commission on Friday for its decision to carry out a special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar.
The organisation argued that this move violates the constitutional right to universal adult franchise.
They described the revision as poorly planned and rushed, warning that it could lead to the exclusion of individuals who lack the necessary documents.
The Election Commission announced the revision on June 24, ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for later this year. Under the new rules, anyone not listed on the 2003 voter roll must provide proof of eligibility to vote.
This requirement affects approximately 2.93 crore voters — nearly 37% of Bihar’s total 7.89 crore electorate — who will now need to present official documentation.
Those born before July 1, 1987, must provide proof of their own date and place of birth. Individuals born between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004, must additionally submit documents verifying the date and place of birth of one parent. For those born after December 2, 2004, proof of date of birth is required for both the voter and their parents, Scroll.in reported.
In response to this directive, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) expressed concern that the responsibility for ensuring inclusion in the electoral rolls, which usually rests with the Election Commission, has effectively been transferred to individual voters—particularly those from marginalised communities.
The organisation suggested that this shift places undue emphasis on documentation and disadvantages those who may lack proper records.
PUCL also pointed out that the Commission has a duty to ensure that individuals who face barriers such as missing documents, limited access to technology, or difficulties in filling out forms or attending in person for verification are not excluded from the electoral process.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) emphasised that the Election Commission’s primary duty is to ensure inclusion and uphold the principle of universal adult suffrage.
According to the organisation, disqualifying voters should only occur after a fair and inclusive base electoral roll has been established, and not at the cost of equitable voter enumeration.
As the revision process unfolds, many voters have reportedly faced challenges in gathering the required documents, with Aadhaar cards not being accepted in some cases.
PUCL highlighted this inconsistency, pointing out that the amended Form 6—used for enrolling new voters—does permit the use of Aadhaar cards as valid proof.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) raised concerns about the method being used in the electoral roll revision process, questioning why booth-level officers were handing out enumeration forms to voters instead of conducting door-to-door surveys, as outlined in official procedures.
The organisation also pointed out that the enumeration form being circulated is notably different from the standard Form 4, which is designated for such surveys.
PUCL suggested that while this approach may have been adopted due to time constraints, it places an unfair burden on voters by requiring them to complete forms and gather documents themselves. The group argued that this deviation from the prescribed process remains de hors the Rules