ECI Directive and Electoral Roll Revision in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls for Bihar with plans to expand this exercise to other states. The directive requires individuals not featured in the 2003 electoral rolls to prove their citizenship according to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, potentially disenfranchising a large segment of the population, notably the poor and disadvantaged.

Impact and Population Affected

• The current voting age population in Bihar is estimated at 8.08 crore.
• Approximately 59% (4.76 crore) of this population is 40 years old or younger and must prove their citizenship within a month.
• The 2003 electoral roll included 4.96 crore individuals, but many have since died or migrated.
• Considering deaths and migration, only 3.16 crore individuals from the 2003 list remain in Bihar’s electorate, leaving 4.74 crore to submit their documents.

Proof of Citizenship Requirements

• The ECI requires one document from a list of 11, including identity cards, birth certificates, passports, and matriculation certificates.
• Only a small percentage of the relevant age group possesses these documents, particularly in document-scarce states like Bihar.
• Approximately 45-50% of 18-40-year-olds are matriculate, making the matriculation certificate the primary means of proving eligibility.

Challenges and Implications

• The directive shifts the voting system from universal adult franchise to one favoring those with specific educational qualifications, potentially disenfranchising 2.4-2.6 crore people.
• This disenfranchisement may affect those over 40 not listed or incorrectly listed in the 2003 electoral roll.
• The initiative highlights the inadequacies in providing basic documentation like birth certificates and education to the disadvantaged.

Alternative Solutions and Considerations

• The exclusion of Aadhaar and ration cards from the list of acceptable documents raises questions, given Aadhaar's widespread availability (9/10th of Bihar's population possesses it).
• The tight timeline raises practical concerns, as each electoral registration officer would need to process nearly 2 lakh applications within 62 days, a daunting task given their other responsibilities.

The proposed changes by the ECI demand thorough consideration to avoid large-scale disenfranchisement and ensure fair and inclusive electoral processes. Modifying the list of acceptable documents and extending the timeline could mitigate potential issues.