Bihar: EC says 3 lakh voters added as per rules after poll announcement, responds to Congress’ claim

A day after the Congress flagged a jump in Bihar’s voter numbers, noting that the Election Commission had announced 7.42 crore voters on October 6 while releasing the poll schedule, but post-poll data showed the figure had risen to 7.45 crore, unidentified poll officials told PTI that three lakh voters were added to the state’s electoral roll after the publication of the final list following the special intensive revision.

Unidentified officials said that under election rules, eligible citizens can seek inclusion on the electoral roll until 10 days before the last date of filing nominations for each phase after polls are announced.

“After examining all valid applications received from October 1 until 10 days before the last date of nominations in both phases, the names of eligible voters were added so that no eligible voter is deprived of voting,” PTI quoted an official as saying.

Phase 1 nominations closed on October 17, and Phase 2 on October 20.

Officials said that the registration of new voters through Form 6 continued until a week before the nomination deadlines, PTI reported.

Polling for the Bihar Assembly elections was held on November 6 and November 11, and the results were declared on Friday.

The Opposition bloc lost the polls to the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

The Mahagathbandhan won 35 of the...

Read more

News