NEW DELHI – The Indian National Congress has sharply criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging the rejection of 89 lakh (8.9 million) voter complaints related to discrepancies in Bihar‘s electoral rolls. The party contends this mass dismissal raises serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the upcoming elections.
The Congress claims the ECI’s actions directly impact the democratic process for millions of Bihari voters, potentially disenfranchising citizens due to errors in voter lists. This dispute arrives ahead of crucial parliamentary elections, where Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats are pivotal. The party has demanded a thorough examination into the complaint rejections and a rectification of the electoral rolls before polling begins.
According to Congress representatives, the rejected complaints encompassed a range of issues, including missing names, duplicate entries, and incorrect details. They assert the ECI’s response lacked openness and adequate clarification for the widespread dismissal. The party further alleges “irregularities” in the handling of these complaints, suggesting a systemic failure in the voter registration and verification process.
“The sheer number of rejected complaints – 89 lakh – is alarming and unacceptable,” stated a Congress spokesperson on 2024/05/16. “This isn’t merely an administrative oversight; it’s a potential manipulation of the electoral process that undermines the very foundation of our democracy.”
The ECI has not yet issued a formal response to the Congress’s accusations as of 2024/05/16 18:30 IST. However,officials have previously stated that electoral rolls are continuously updated and verified,and that complaints are addressed according to established procedures. The Congress has vowed to continue raising the issue and pressuring the ECI to address the concerns before the election schedule is announced. Bihar is scheduled to vote in multiple phases beginning in late April 2024.