The ECI plans to expand its Special Intensive Revision across India, but its approach in Bihar has sparked legal, ethical, and procedural concerns
BLOs have reportedly identified many “foreign” voters. But how are field officers judging citizenship—an area outside the ECI’s mandate?
In states like Assam and West Bengal, where identity politics is charged, assigning such powers to BLOs risks deepening social and political fault lines
The Supreme Court flagged the exclusion of valid IDs like Aadhaar and ration cards. Without these, marginalised voters face heightened risk of being left out
Bihar’s low literacy, high migration, and youth-heavy voter base make documentation challenging. The SIR’s timeline only adds to these difficulties
The ECI’s legacy rests on inclusion. As scrutiny grows, it must align not just with constitutional form—but also with the democratic spirit