Bihar Polls: Mass Voter Deletion Sparks Minority Concerns

Several districts in Bihar, notably Madhubani and East Champaran, have witnessed a significant purge of names from the draft electoral rolls. These districts have substantial Muslim populations.

Opposition parties have raised serious concerns, alleging the deletions disproportionately affect minority and marginalized communities. They claim this is a deliberate attempt to suppress votes.

The Election Commission, however, maintains the deletions are due to routine updates, citing reasons such as deaths, permanent relocations, and duplicate entries. A window for claims and objections remains open.

The EC is currently reviewing the objections and claims submitted by affected individuals. The final electoral rolls will be published later.

This development carries significant implications for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The controversy surrounding these deletions highlights the ongoing debate about electoral integrity and equitable representation in Indian democracy. The outcome of the EC’s review will be crucial in determining the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.