In the Indian state of Bihar, the voters' list has been updated ahead of the November elections. The new list contains 6.5 million fewer names, with cases found of incorrect voter photographs, duplicate entries, and the inclusion of deceased persons.
A special intensive revision process conducted by the Central Election Commission lasted from June 25 to July 26, during which a total of 78.9 million voters were checked. As a result, 2.2 million deceased persons, 700,000 duplicate names, and 3.6 million people who had relocated were removed from the list.
Opposition parties claim that in certain areas, especially border districts with a large Muslim population, voters are being deliberately removed from the rolls. The Election Commission denies this, stating that the process is aimed solely at correcting errors in the list.
Residents report numerous mistakes in the register, including incorrect photographs and the names of deceased relatives still listed. Some have expressed concern that being deprived of voting rights could also exclude them from social benefits and entitlements.
The matter is being discussed in the national parliament and the Supreme Court. By September 1, more than 165,000 applications to correct errors in the list had been submitted.
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