Tejashwi Yadav alleges removal of 65 lakh names from Bihar’s draft voter list, including his own. The Election Commission rebuts the claim as “factually incorrect”.
Tejashwi Yadav Raises Alarming Claims About Voter List
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has alleged that his name, along with nearly 65 lakh other voters, has been removed from the draft electoral roll of Bihar. This comes just months ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Key Allegations Made by Tejashwi Yadav:
- Claimed 20,000 to 30,000 voter names removed from each assembly constituency.
- Estimated a total of 65 lakh names missing — about 8.5% of the state’s voters.
- Alleged lack of transparency, stating: “The list given to us doesn’t include voter addresses, booth numbers, or EPIC numbers. We cannot verify whose names have been removed.”
- Claimed his own name is missing, asking: “My name is not there in the electoral roll. How will I contest the elections?”
Election Commission Responds: ‘Claims Are Factually Incorrect’
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has swiftly dismissed the allegations. In a detailed rebuttal, the ECI clarified:
- Tejashwi Yadav’s name does appear in the draft roll.
- It is listed at Serial Number 416 under the Digha Assembly constituency.
The Commission confirmed the draft list was published after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that spanned a month and followed due procedures.
Political Backdrop and Recent Similar Claims
This controversy follows closely on the heels of another allegation by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who also questioned the transparency of the electoral process — prompting an earlier clarification from the poll body.
Conclusion: Political Tensions Rise Ahead of Elections
With the Bihar Assembly elections drawing near, tensions around voter list integrity and electoral fairness are intensifying. While Tejashwi Yadav maintains his claims, the Election Commission insists the process has been transparent and verifiable.
Also Read : Nitish Kumar vs Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar Assembly: Voter List Row Sparks Heated Exchange
