The Crossbill News Desk
Concerns over a sudden rise in Bihar’s voter count escalated into a political flashpoint on Saturday (November 15), prompting a clarification from the Election Commission of India.
The Congress had questioned how the electorate, recorded at 7.42 crore after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), increased by another 3 lakh when the poll schedule was declared. The party alleged that the additions amounted to “vote theft” carried out after the revision process was complete.
Responding to the allegations, Election Commission officials said the increase was legitimate and resulted from the enrollment of new voters. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the addition of electors can continue up to 10 days before the last date of filing nominations.
According to the poll body, the 3 lakh names were added based on forms received from new applicants until October 10, while the final nomination date for Bihar was October 20.
For the first phase of polling held on November 6, nominations closed on October 17, and for the second phase on November 11, they concluded on October 20.
Despite the explanation, the Congress reiterated its allegation, noting the rise from 7.42 crore to 7.45 crore voters and suggesting manipulation. The controversy comes against the backdrop of a decisive win for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Bihar assembly elections, where it secured 202 of the 243 seats. The Mahagathbandhan was reduced to 35 seats, with the Congress winning only 6 and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) collapsing to 25 — its lowest tally in a decade.
Following a review meeting in Delhi, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal expressed disbelief at the outcome.
“A 90% strike rate is unprecedented in Indian history,” he said.
“We are collecting data and conducting a thorough analysis, and within 1 to 2 weeks, we will provide concrete proof. This entire electoral process is completely questionable. The Election Commission is totally one-sided; there is no transparency.”
Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also voiced concern a day earlier.
“This result in Bihar is truly shocking. We could not achieve victory in an election that was unfair from the very beginning,” he said.
The Congress had questioned how the electorate, recorded at 7.42 crore after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), increased by another 3 lakh when the poll schedule was declared. The party alleged that the additions amounted to “vote theft” carried out after the revision process was complete.
Responding to the allegations, Election Commission officials said the increase was legitimate and resulted from the enrollment of new voters. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the addition of electors can continue up to 10 days before the last date of filing nominations.
According to the poll body, the 3 lakh names were added based on forms received from new applicants until October 10, while the final nomination date for Bihar was October 20.
For the first phase of polling held on November 6, nominations closed on October 17, and for the second phase on November 11, they concluded on October 20.
Despite the explanation, the Congress reiterated its allegation, noting the rise from 7.42 crore to 7.45 crore voters and suggesting manipulation. The controversy comes against the backdrop of a decisive win for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Bihar assembly elections, where it secured 202 of the 243 seats. The Mahagathbandhan was reduced to 35 seats, with the Congress winning only 6 and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) collapsing to 25 — its lowest tally in a decade.
Following a review meeting in Delhi, Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal expressed disbelief at the outcome.
“A 90% strike rate is unprecedented in Indian history,” he said.
“We are collecting data and conducting a thorough analysis, and within 1 to 2 weeks, we will provide concrete proof. This entire electoral process is completely questionable. The Election Commission is totally one-sided; there is no transparency.”
Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also voiced concern a day earlier.
“This result in Bihar is truly shocking. We could not achieve victory in an election that was unfair from the very beginning,” he said.
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