In a significant move to address public fear and resistance, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a new directive relaxing the rules for voter verification in Bihar. The decision comes after a report from the state's Chief Electoral Officer highlighted widespread apprehension among citizens that the voter roll revision was a covert first step for the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC).This growing anxiety was leading to non-cooperation with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who were tasked with conducting mandatory door-to-door physical verification for every new voter application.Under the old rules, BLOs were required to physically visit the homes of all new applicants (who file Form 6) and those shifting their constituencies (who file Form 8) to confirm their details. However, faced with public pushback fueled by NRC fears, the ECI has now made this physical verification discretionary rather than compulsory.According to the new guidelines, BLOs can now decide on a case-by-case basis if a physical visit is necessary. If an applicant is not found at home, the officer is now permitted to verify the details through other means, such as speaking with family members, neighbors, or the village head (Mukhiya).The primary goal of this policy shift is to smooth out the electoral roll revision process, reduce friction between officials and the public, and ensure that eligible citizens are not excluded from the voter list due to fear or misunderstanding.By making the process more flexible, the Election Commission aims to build trust and ensure the integrity of the electoral rolls while being sensitive to the prevailing political anxieties in the state.
Around the web
