CPI(ML) cautions against 'deceptive relaxation' in SIR in Bihar

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) The CPI(ML) on Sunday said any 'relaxation' given by the Election Commission in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar is only "deceptive" as it does not eliminate the danger of mass disenfranchisement and merely defers it.

In a statement issued here, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya cited reports that only 14 per cent filled forms have been returned so far.

He said the Election Commission knows a large number of voters will be eliminated at the draft stage itself and said the "relaxation" of not having to give documents at draft stage is "deceptive".

"Don't be misled by the news of EC granting relief to Bihar's beleaguered voters. The predictably slow progress of the SIR has forced the EC to think of this immediate escape route," Bhattacharya said.

"If only 14 per cent filled-in forms have returned after 10 days, the EC knows that a huge number of voters will be eliminated at the draft stage itself. Hence, the 'deceptive relaxation' that voters need not submit any documents or even photos at the draft stage," he said.

"This 'relaxation' does not eliminate the danger of mass disenfranchisement, it merely defers it," he said.

"And if you read the announcement carefully, this relaxation now opens the way for massive discretionary powers with the EROs (Electoral Registration Officers) . It is not clear if there is a fresh deadline for submission of documents," he said.

"And the fine print tells us that the cases of applicants who cannot submit documents will be decided by EROs on the basis of local investigation and other available documents," he said.

He alleged there has been no transparency in the entire process of SIR right since its inception.

"With every new announcement, it now gets more opaque and arbitrary. The 'changes' being made only corroborate our observation that the SIR was ill-conceived and unwarranted and reinforce our demand for a complete rollback of this sinister move," he added.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Sunday asserted that Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar was "being implemented smoothly at the ground level" and "there is no change in instructions".

In a statement, the EC made it clear that while voters were required to "submit their documents anytime before July 25, 2025", those who failed to do so would get an opportunity "during the Claims & Objections period also". PTI AO RT RT