Dipankar Bhattacharya, General Secretary of the CPI(ML) Liberation, has described the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar as a “time bomb” and a potential threat to democratic principles. In an exclusive interview with Timeline, Bhattacharya drew parallels between the SIR and the 2016 demonetisation and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam, highlighting the suddenness and disruptive nature of the process.

Bhattacharya criticised the Election Commission’s lack of transparency, stating that the process was unleashed without prior notice to political parties or the public. He recounted a large-scale Election Commission workshop for party activists in Bihar, where the specifics of the BLS (Booth Level Officers) and their tasks were discussed, yet no mention was made of the impending SIR. This lack of forewarning, he argued, mirrors the sudden announcement of demonetisation.

However, Bhattacharya differentiated the SIR from demonetisation, noting that while demonetisation’s announcement was a shock, information spread rapidly. In contrast, the Election Commission’s circular regarding the SIR was largely overlooked by the general public, who perceived it as a routine revision exercise. The crucial difference, Bhattacharya stressed, lies in the requirement for citizens to submit documents to prove their citizenship – a demand unprecedented in previous revision exercises. This, he argued, is what makes the SIR akin to a “vote bandi” (vote blockade), similar to the NRC in Assam.

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The comparison to the Assam NRC is further elaborated upon by Bhattacharya. While the Assam NRC, a Supreme Court-monitored exercise spanning six years, affected a population of 33 million, resulting in 1.9 million people being excluded, the Bihar SIR aims to cover 80 million people within a single month. He estimates that approximately 50 million people will need to provide citizenship documents, many of whom lack the necessary documentation. This, he contends, presents a far greater challenge than the Assam NRC.

Bhattacharya provided specific examples of the SIR’s impact. He highlighted the initial Election Commission directive to collect 80 million enumeration forms and supporting documents by July 26. This deadline, he argued, was later revised to allow submission of forms without immediate documentation, delaying but not eliminating the requirement for document submission. He questioned the Election Commission’s insistence on specific documents, many of which are unavailable to ordinary citizens, and the lack of response to Supreme Court queries on the use of readily available documents like Aadhaar cards or voter IDs.

The potential for arbitrary and opaque decisions by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in assessing the submitted forms without supporting documents is a major concern for Bhattacharya. He estimates that at least 50,000 people per constituency might be unable to provide the required documents, leading to a loss of electoral integrity and transparency. He suggested that this situation might benefit the NDA, implying a potential motive for the BJP’s support of the SIR.

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Bhattacharya further expressed concern about the potential consequences of the SIR, including the disenfranchisement of citizens, the creation of “doubtful voters,” and the possibility of individuals being subjected to foreign national tribunals, detention, and deportation. He dismissed the Election Commission’s claims of discovering numerous foreign nationals in Bihar as a fabricated narrative, citing the lack of similar reports during previous elections and revisions. He attributed the sudden emergence of this narrative to an attempt to justify the SIR and create confusion among voters.

The impact on marginalized groups, particularly migrant workers, the rural poor, women, and young people, is a significant concern for Bhattacharya. He anticipates that these groups will be disproportionately affected by the document requirements. However, he remains hopeful that the SIR will backfire, energising the population and leading to a decisive rejection of the NDA in the upcoming elections.

Regarding the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Bhattacharya predicted a decisive victory for the opposition coalition INDIA bloc, attributing the current government’s failures to poor governance, rampant crime, and a looming debt crisis. He believes the SIR has highlighted the assault on the constitution and the fundamental right to vote, further motivating voters to reject the incumbent government. He also discussed the CPI(ML) Liberation’s electoral strategy, aiming to contest around 40 seats and contribute to a broader opposition victory. While acknowledging ongoing seat-sharing negotiations, he expressed confidence in a strong performance across Bihar.