Leaders wear protest T-shirts in Parliament as controversy grows over errors in Bihar’s revised electoral rolls
T-Shirt Protest in Parliament Over Voter List Anomalies
On Tuesday, Opposition Members of Parliament staged a protest at the Parliament House complex, wearing white T-shirts with the photo of Minta Devi—allegedly a 124-year-old first-time voter from Bihar. The phrase “124 Not Out” was emblazoned across the back, symbolizing what they claim are massive irregularities in the ongoing revision of Bihar’s voter list.
Who Is Minta Devi?
- The opposition alleged that Minta Devi, listed as 124 years old, was wrongly added as a new voter.
- She was shown as a first-time voter in the updated electoral roll of Siwan’s Daraunda constituency.
- Leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the protest.
- They claimed the case is not isolated, suggesting widespread discrepancies.
“There are unlimited cases like that. Abhi picture baki hai (the full picture is yet to come),” said Rahul Gandhi.
Election Commission Responds: It’s a Data Entry Error
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) clarified that Minta Devi is actually 35 years old, not 124.
- Officials blamed the error on incorrect data submitted during registration.
- The poll body confirmed that such mistakes are being reviewed and corrected.
Why the Opposition Is Demanding a Rollback
- The protest targeted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in poll-bound Bihar.
- Opposition leaders alleged that the exercise is aimed at “vote chori” (vote theft).
- They argue that the revision process could disenfranchise valid voters, especially in rural and marginalized areas.
Election Commission Defends the Voter Revision Drive
- Officials said the revision is needed due to:
- Long gaps in periodic updates (no proper revision since 2004).
- Presence of duplicate entries and non-eligible persons in the voter list.
- As of now:
- Over 10,570 forms have been received from citizens requesting inclusion.
- The draft electoral roll is open for claims and objections until September 1.
Key Takeaways
- The Minta Devi case has become a symbol of alleged voter list mismanagement.
- The Election Commission admits the age entry was an error, not fraud.
- With Bihar’s Assembly Elections approaching, the debate over voter data accuracy is heating up.
While the age error for Minta Devi may have been accidental, it has drawn national attention to the integrity of the voter roll revision process. As political pressure builds, the Election Commission faces increasing scrutiny to ensure a fair and transparent electoral system in Bihar.
Also Read : “Abhi Picture Baaki Hai”: Rahul Gandhi’s Teaser Amid Vote Fraud Row and Election Commission Clash
