Tejashwi Yadav’s call for repolling in Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, and Haryana was issued after Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi lodged 14 formal objections over the past ten months concerning the pan‑India Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The SIR, aimed at updating voter lists nationwide, has seen allegations of name deletions and procedural irregularities, sparking a debate over its fairness. Yadav accused the Election Commission of being manipulated to secure BJP victories, citing a shift in the Chief Election Commissioner panel that now includes a Union minister instead of the Chief Justice of India.
In a statement posted on X, Yadav pointed out that the period for retaining voting records had been cut from one year to 45 days, leaving opposition parties with little evidence for legal challenges. He argued that such changes were orchestrated by Modi and Amit Shah to favour the ruling party.
Local voters in Patna’s Patna West ward recounted how they felt their names were omitted during the revision, a sentiment echoed across several constituencies where the SIR was conducted. The community’s frustration now fuels the demand for fresh elections.
Yadav has urged the Election Commission to issue an immediate repoll order, and the Commission is slated to review his demands in a meeting scheduled for the end of the week. The outcome will set a precedent for how the SIR process is governed in future elections.