New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to discuss the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections.
Submitting the adjournment motion, Manickam Tagore alleged that the SIR has “disproportionately affected” marginalised communities, and warned that similar “targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal.”
“This House expresses deep concern over the mass deletion of voters flagged during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India in Bihar, which has disproportionately affected historically marginalized communities, and warns that similar targeted disenfranchisement may soon spread to other states like Assam and West Bengal. This House demands a comprehensive and transparent debate on the legitimacy, legality, and consequences of this exercise, which threatens the constitutional right to vote and undermines free and fair elections in India,” the Congress MP wrote in the motion.
Manickam Tagore alleged that more than 65 lakh voters in Bihar have been “flagged for deletion”, with the highest threat of voters’ deletion in opposition-leaning and minority-populated areas.
“Over 65 lakh voters (8.3% of the electorate) in Bihar have been flagged for deletion. In key districts such as Gopalganj (15.10%), Purnia (12.07%), Kishanganj (11.82%), Madhubani (10.44%), and Bhagalpur (10.19%), the deletion percentages are abnormally high and concentrated in opposition-leaning and minority-populated areas,” he said.
He also alleged that poor, migrants and minorities are being targeted through SIR.
“The deletions are hitting those who are least likely to be notified or empowered to contest them-Dalits, Muslims, urban poor, migrant workers, and slum residents-leading to silent disenfranchisement,” he said.
“Many of the affected constituencies have had narrow margins of victory in past elections. A 10-15% deletion of voters in opposition strongholds can decisively distort electoral outcomes,” he said.
He further said that the SIR process lacks parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability, while referring to the allegations made by former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, who claimed that his name was missing from the new draft voter list.
“The process lacks parliamentary scrutiny and public accountability, and comes at a time when general elections are less than a year away. Even prominent leaders like Tejashwi Yadav found their names deleted in the draft rolls,” he said.
However, Election Commission’ officials checked the record after Tejashwi Yadav’s claims and found that his name was listed.
Additionally, Manickam Tagore, in a post on X, reiterated his demand for a discussion on SIR. “We demand a discussion on the SIR, which has resulted in the deletion of 12% of voters–primarily from INDIA alliance strongholds–in Bihar,” he said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, will move the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, in the Lower House of the Parliament today.
According to the list of business, the Bill will be discussed along with the amendment to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will move the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move the resolution to amend the Second Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975. (ANI)
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