RJD Moves Supreme Court Against Election Commission’s Voter List Revision in Bihar Ahead of Assembly Polls
Patna/New Delhi | July 6, 2025 — In a major political development just months before the Bihar Assembly elections, Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
The move comes amid mounting criticism from multiple opposition parties who allege that the exercise is politically motivated and could disenfranchise Dalits, backward communities, and young voters.
The petition was filed by RJD’s Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, seeking the apex court’s intervention to halt the process.
What Is the Controversy?
The ECI, on June 24, 2025, issued an order to carry out a Special Intensive Revision of voters in Bihar with the aim of “weeding out ineligible voters”. The exercise is scheduled to cover over 8 crore electors and conclude by July 25, with draft rolls to be published on August 1.
However, the timing of the revision—just ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections due later this year—has triggered a political storm.
Tejashwi Yadav: Why Only Bihar?
RJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has questioned why the revision is being done only in Bihar, when the last similar exercise occurred nationwide in 2003.
“Why is Bihar being singled out? Why not a pan-India revision? This reeks of political vendetta,” Tejashwi said in a press interaction.
He alleged that the ruling BJP, in collusion with the Election Commission, is attempting to “manipulate voter rolls” and “suppress voices of the marginalised sections.”
Opposition Unites Against EC
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described the revision as a “conspiracy by the BJP-RSS to snatch voting rights of Dalits and deprived communities.”
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also announced she had approached the Supreme Court, warning that West Bengal could be next.
“They’ve targeted Bihar now. Next, it’ll be Bengal. This is not a revision—it’s voter suppression disguised as data correction,” Moitra said in a statement to PTI.
What the EC and Bihar CEO Say
In its defence, the Election Commission has maintained that the SIR process is proceeding “smoothly at ground level” and in accordance with guidelines issued on June 24.
Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) also reiterated this in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter):
“SIR in Bihar is progressing as per ECI’s order... All activities are exactly as per ECI’s order dated 24.06.2025,” one post read.
He assured that existing voters can still submit documentation even after initial enumeration forms are filed.
The Real Flashpoint: Document Requirement
A central bone of contention is the requirement of documentation for certain voters. As per current EC guidelines:
- 60% of the electorate (enrolled before 2003) do not have to provide proof of date/place of birth.
- The remaining 40%, largely comprising younger voters, must submit supporting documents.
This has led to allegations that youth and first-time voters could be disproportionately affected.
What Happens Next?
With RJD and TMC both moving the Supreme Court, legal proceedings are likely to unfold in the coming days. Meanwhile, the ECI insists it will continue the revision process as per schedule.
The controversy has the potential to dominate the narrative heading into the Bihar Assembly polls, and may further polarise political sentiment in the state.