Congress alleges 89 lakh complaints overlooked, demands fresh electoral roll revision in Bihar

Party leader Pawan Khera accused the Election Commission of disregarding complaints raised by Congress Booth Level Agents.

The Congress party on Sunday escalated its attack on the Election Commission, urging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar be redone.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged major discrepancies in the revision process and claimed that nearly 89 lakh complaints lodged by the party’s Booth Level Agents (BLAs) were ignored by the poll panel.

“Congress demands that the SIR be carried out afresh, as large-scale irregularities raise serious questions about the Election Commission’s intent,” Khera said.

Khera further argued that despite Congress submitting 89 lakh complaints highlighting irregularities, the Election Commission downplayed the issue. “While the EC claims no party has raised objections, the reality is that Congress filed 89 lakh complaints during the SIR,” he asserted.

चुनाव आयोग अपने 'सोर्स' के माध्यम से खबरें प्लांट करवाता रहता है कि किसी राजनीतिक पार्टी से कोई शिकायत नहीं आ रही है।

सच्चाई ये है कि कांग्रेस पार्टी ने 89 लाख शिकायतें चुनाव आयोग को दी हैं।

जब हमारे BLAs शिकायत लेकर जाते हैं, तो उनसे शिकायतें नहीं ली जाती। उनसे कहा जाता है… pic.twitter.com/l2xVuu0c99

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 31, 2025

He also alleged that party workers were told only individuals—not political parties—could file complaints.

Background of Bihar SIR row

The SIR in Bihar has already attracted criticism from the Opposition, with several INDIA bloc parties moving the Supreme Court. They contend that the process risks disenfranchising large sections of marginalised voters due to missing names and inadequate notices.

As part of its protest, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched the ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram on August 17. Backed by INDIA bloc partners, the march will conclude in Patna on September 1.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission reported on Saturday that it had received 1.98 lakh individual requests for removal of names from the draft rolls, along with nearly 30,000 requests for inclusion. The draft rolls, published on August 1, will remain open for claims and objections from both individuals and parties until September 1.