In a significant political development in Patna, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) [CPI(ML)] on Sunday staged a boycott of the Voter Rights Day initiative called by the Election Commission of India (EC). Instead of participating in the EC's program, the party organized a separate Voter Rights Protection Day at all district headquarters across Bihar, marking a direct challenge to the electoral body's authority.
Protest Gathering in Patna
In the state capital, CPI(ML) functionaries assembled near Buddha Smriti Park on Fraser Road, carrying banners, placards, and party flags. The gathering featured speeches by party lawmakers and functionaries who addressed a crowd of supporters. The EC had previously asked political parties to organize programs in line with its call for observing Voter Rights Day, but the CPI(ML) chose to defy this directive with its parallel event.
Allegations Against Election Commission
Party leaders leveled serious allegations against the Election Commission, terming its Voter Rights Day observance as a "sham" and a "show-off." They claimed that during the special intensive revision (SIR) drive conducted ahead of last year's Assembly polls in Bihar, the names of approximately 70 lakh voters were deleted from the electoral rolls. According to the CPI(ML), this exercise disproportionately affected vulnerable sections of society.
Impact on Marginalized Communities
The party asserted that the victims of the SIR drive were primarily:
- The poor
- Dalits
- Minorities
- Migrant workers
This allegation suggests systematic disenfranchisement of historically marginalized groups through administrative procedures.
Broader Implications for Upcoming Elections
CPI(ML) leaders further warned that a similar exercise is being carried out in states scheduled to go to the polls this year, where voters' names are allegedly being deleted from electoral rolls. This claim raises concerns about the integrity of electoral processes in multiple states and could potentially influence voter confidence in upcoming elections.
The party's decision to organize a separate Voter Rights Protection Day represents a strategic move to highlight what they perceive as flaws in the EC's approach to voter rights. By creating a parallel event, the CPI(ML) has positioned itself as a champion of electoral justice while directly confronting the authority of the Election Commission.
This development in Bihar's political landscape underscores ongoing tensions between certain political parties and electoral authorities regarding voter registration processes. The allegations of mass deletions from electoral rolls, if substantiated, could have significant implications for democratic participation in one of India's most politically active states.
