Election Commission Dismisses Viral Voter Fraud Video from Patna as "False and Misleading"
Patna, July 17: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a strong rebuttal to a viral video circulating online, calling it “false and misleading”, after allegations surfaced that a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Patna was seen filling and signing multiple voter forms during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025 of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The controversy erupted after senior journalist and YouTuber Ajit Anjum shared the video, which quickly gained traction across social media platforms. Opposition leaders, including RJD MP Manoj Jha, also amplified the video and questioned the ECI’s integrity, demanding an official explanation.
ECI Responds: Allegations Are Baseless
In response, the ECI took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated:
“The claims made in the video mentioned in this post are false. You may refer to the link provided below for more details.”
The link redirected users to a detailed statement released by the District Administration of Patna, clarifying the context and findings of a formal investigation into the matter.
District Magistrate Clarifies: No Irregularities Found
The District Returning Officer-cum-District Magistrate of Patna, Tyagarajan S.M., confirmed that a thorough probe was launched immediately after the video surfaced. The statements of the BLOs shown in the video were recorded, and a field-level verification was conducted.
According to the administration, the BLOs involved — including Rani Kumari (booth 226), Vijay Kumar (booth 32), Sanjeet Kumar (booth 224), Raj Kishore Singh (booth 25), and Amit Kumar (booth 260) — were engaged in compiling draft lists of deceased voters and those who had permanently migrated from Bihar.
These lists are part of the SIR process and, as per protocol, are to be reviewed and verified by Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of various political parties before any changes are finalized in the electoral roll.
“The video was recorded before the final draft was completed, which led to a misinterpretation of the process,” the statement noted.
BLO’s Testimony: Video Shows Incomplete Draft Work
Rani Kumari, the BLO from polling booth number 226, whose work was prominently featured in the video, clarified that out of 878 total voters, she had compiled a preliminary list of 725 as part of the removal of ineligible entries. This list was never meant to be final and was pending cross-verification with political parties’ representatives.
The administration stressed that this is standard operating procedure during SIR and involves no breach of election protocol or fraudulent intent.
Viral Misinformation: A Growing Concern
The statement also criticized some YouTubers and journalists for circulating misleading content without verifying facts from official sources.
“Such reporting undermines public trust and creates unnecessary panic during sensitive electoral processes,” said the district administration.
The administration urged citizens and media personnel to avoid spreading unverified claims, and to reach out to official channels for clarification. A public appeal was issued to remain vigilant against disinformation.
Political Reactions Continue
Despite the ECI’s rebuttal, the incident has triggered fresh political sparring between the ruling NDA and opposition parties in Bihar.
RJD MP Manoj Jha, who initially shared the video, has not yet retracted his statement, instead asking the ECI to respond in more detail.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders in the state have accused opposition figures and social media influencers of trying to undermine the credibility of the electoral system for political gain ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
What Is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a scheduled activity undertaken by the ECI ahead of elections to clean and update the voter database. It involves:
- Identification and removal of deceased or migrated voters
- Addition of new eligible voters
- Address and data verification with public and party participation
The process includes door-to-door verification by BLOs, list preparation, and stakeholder consultations before final updates are made.
Conclusion: Electoral Integrity Intact, Says Administration
With its swift response, formal investigation, and public clarification, the Election Commission and Patna district administration have reinforced that no voter fraud took place in the incident captured in the viral video.
The episode highlights the critical role of responsible journalism, particularly during election preparations, and the dangers of jumping to conclusions based on partial or decontextualized content.
As Bihar gears up for a politically charged 2025, maintaining electoral transparency and public trust remains a shared responsibility between the state, institutions, and the media.