Mahadangal: Voter List Verification Triggers High-Voltage Political Clash Ahead of Bihar Elections | ABP NEWS

As Bihar heads toward the crucial 2025 Assembly elections, the focus has shifted from poll promises to a fierce war of words over the Election Commission’s voter list verification drive. The INDIA bloc, comprising 10 opposition parties, has accused the EC of orchestrating a covert attempt at “votebandi” — alleging that names of the poor, Dalits, OBCs, and migrant workers are being struck off the rolls under the pretext of documentation and verification. Congress leader Pawan Khera issued a fiery warning to the EC, saying "governments come and go—don’t enslave yourself to power." This prompted a sharp rebuttal from BJP's KK Sharma, who condemned such statements as “undemocratic” and likened the tone to "gundagardi." He questioned the opposition’s intentions, stating that casting doubt on a constitutional body reflects their fear of electoral defeat.  The opposition, however, questioned the timing of the verification—just months before elections—arguing that genuine voters may lose their rights due to complex document requirements. Concerns have also been raised about the exclusion of migrant workers and those lacking birth or education certificates. The EC maintains that the process follows Article 326 and the Representation of the People Act and is aimed at ensuring clean, fraud-free elections. It also clarified that no legitimate voter will be removed without thorough checks, including verification by BLOs and local officials. Furthermore, over 47,000 booth-level agents (BLAs) from all parties—including RJD—are involved, ensuring a multi-party monitoring mechanism. Yet, the narrative remains politically charged. Leaders like Tejashwi Yadav, Jairam Ramesh, and Owaisi have questioned the neutrality of the EC, while the BJP accuses the opposition of building a false narrative to mask internal disarray. As the controversy deepens, the real question remains—can Bihar’s democratic process survive this storm of mistrust?

videos