Foreign Nationals Found in Bihar Voter List During Verification Campaign
A recent voter verification campaign in Bihar has revealed the presence of foreign nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar in the electoral rolls. This shocking discovery has led to an investigation by authorities, who have confirmed that names identified as foreign will be excluded from the final voter list. The campaign, initiated by the Election Commission of India, aims to ensure that only Indian citizens are included in the voter rolls. Amidst opposition protests and allegations from the BJP regarding foreign influence, the Supreme Court has also weighed in on the verification process. The Election Commission plans to extend this campaign to other states as assembly terms near their end.
Jul 13, 2025, 13:17 IST
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Shocking Discovery in Bihar's Voter Verification Campaign
During the ongoing voter verification campaign in Bihar, a startling revelation has emerged. Reports indicate that a significant number of foreign nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar have been found residing in the state's electoral rolls. Following this discovery, an investigation has been initiated. Officials have confirmed that after proper verification, names identified as foreign nationals will not be included in the final voter list set to be published on September 30, 2025, post-August 1.
Voter Verification Campaign and Controversy
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched this special intensive review (SIR) campaign on June 25, following directives issued on June 24. The primary goal is to remove ineligible names from the voter list and ensure that only Indian citizens are included. This campaign is scheduled to run until July 26. Initially, the ECI mandated that all voters present proof of citizenship along with their identification documents.
Verification Process Underway
Currently, over 77,000 booth-level officers (BLOs), along with government employees and political party workers, are engaged in verifying the identities of more than 78 million registered voters in Bihar. Both current and potential voters are being asked to provide documents proving their Indian citizenship.
Opposition's Resistance and BJP's Allegations
The opposition is strongly opposing this campaign. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, has launched a fierce attack on opposition parties. He accused the RJD, Congress, Left parties, and their supporters of pressuring the Election Commission to include foreign names in the list to create a 'vote bank.' Malviya stated, 'The names of foreign nationals from countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal have been found in Bihar's voter list. This revelation occurred during the special intensive review campaign.'
Supreme Court's Involvement
Earlier, the Supreme Court heard several petitions challenging the ECI's SIR of voter lists ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. Petitioners included several opposition leaders such as Mahua Moitra from the Trinamool Congress, Manoj Kumar Jha from the RJD, KC Venugopal from Congress, and Supriya Sule from the Nationalist Congress Party.
Election Commission's Clarification
The apex court allowed the ECI to continue the SIR but emphasized that during the verification process, the central election body should consider 11 listed documents, including widely accepted documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards. Subsequently, the Election Commission clarified that while these documents are part of the verification process, they do not prove eligibility to vote.
Future Plans for Other States
The Election Commission has also announced that following Bihar, similar procedures will soon be initiated in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, as the assembly terms in these states are set to expire by May next year, with elections likely to be announced by March or April.
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