"Exercise done to exclude voters": TMC leader Sushmita Dev hits out at Centre over Bihar SIR

Dev termed it a "match fixing" between ECI and BJP and an attempt to "exclude" voters rather than include them.

The Election Commission of India is conducting a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar later this year.

Dev asserted that whenever an electoral revision happens, it is intended that more voters are included in the voter list as many voters turn 18; however, in Bihar, people are being "excluded" within a short period.

"This is an exercise done to exclude voters, not include them. When the revision occurs, it is intended to include more voters who have turned 18; however, people are being excluded within such a short period, in one month", Sushmita Dev told ANI.

The TMC leader further reiterated opposition's allegation over the SIR issue and stressed that it is "affecting" the underprivileged, marginalised, and poor people. She highlighted the need for more documentation in the Special Intensive Revision process.

"The opposition is saying that this is being done entirely unconstitutionally. It affects the underprivileged, marginalised, and poor... There's a need for more documents in the special revision. Suddenly, it's happening nationwide on short notice, and the only reason for this is that PM Modi realises that his seats are decreasing. This is match-fixing between ECI and BJP", he said.

Sharing a post on 'X', Sushmita Dev also claimed that the Special Intensive Revision will start in Assam.

"Special Intensive Revision of voters list by ECI will start in Assam. We spent 6 years showing documents under NRC in the state now we have to show documents again - how many people have birth certificates. Highlighted the issue of SIR in a press meet at Guwahati with VP Dulu Ahmed and G sec Sisir Kalita", the 'X' post said.

https://x.com/SushmitaDevAITC/status/1949086825081164064

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar has erupted a massive row in the country, with the opposition INDIA bloc alleging that it will delete a significant chunk of voters.

Earlier on July 25, several opposition parliamentarians in the Rajya Sabha moved Suspension of Business notices, urging a discussion on the SIR during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.(ANI)