GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th July: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that its directive for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar was designed to disenfranchise lakhs of genuine young voters and hinted that West Bengal could be the next target.
Moitra, who has moved the Supreme Court challenging the June 24 order, claimed the SIR violates multiple constitutional provisions and sections of the Representation of People (RP) Act, 1950. “They (ECI) have introduced this SIR to deprive bonafide young voters in Bihar, where elections are due soon. Bengal will be next in 2026,” Moitra told PTI.
The Krishnanagar MP accused the poll panel of becoming a political arm of the BJP. “The @ECISVEEP is now @BJP4India’s arm — executing its Machiavellian plans on the ground. It has forgotten its constitutional mandate to enable citizens to exercise their franchise,” she posted on X, along with a video of her statement.
Moitra claimed that the SIR specifically targets those born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004 — potentially disenfranchising lakhs of voters. She alleged the move was politically motivated to help the BJP at the Centre.
She urged the Supreme Court to not only quash the ECI’s Bihar order but also restrain the commission from issuing similar directions in other states. “The SIR violates Articles 14, 19(1)(a), 21, 325, and 328 of the Constitution, along with provisions of the RP Act, 1950 and the RER Rules, 1960,” Moitra added.
TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had earlier flagged the revision exercise, calling it a “diabolical game plan” of the ECI. Opposition parties have also raised alarms over the move and called on the Commission to reconsider.
The ECI, however, defended the SIR, citing the need to address concerns such as rapid urbanisation, migration, non-reporting of deaths, and potential inclusion of foreign nationals. It maintained that the revision will adhere strictly to constitutional and legal norms.
Multiple civil society organisations including the PUCL and Association of Democratic Reforms, as well as political activist Yogendra Yadav, have also filed petitions in the apex court against the ECI’s directive.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter in the coming days.
