Election Commission Rejects Tejashwi Yadav’s Claim of Missing Name from Bihar Voter List

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially refuted claims made by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav that his name was missing from the draft electoral rolls for Bihar. Yadav, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, made the allegation at a press conference, where he attempted to demonstrate the error by searching for his name using an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. However, the ECI swiftly responded, providing proof that his name is indeed present on the list.

The controversy arose after the ECI published its draft electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. At his press conference, Tejashwi Yadav claimed his name was missing, alleging that the poll body was engaging in a conspiracy to push revision. He pointed out that over 65 lakh names had been deleted from the rolls, questioning the transparency of the process.

In a prompt rebuttal, the ECI released a statement confirming that Tejashwi Yadav’s name is listed at Serial Number 416 in the draft electoral roll for the Digha assembly constituency. The Patna District Magistrate, Dr. Thiyagarajan S.M., also clarified the matter, stating that an investigation by the district administration confirmed the presence of Yadav’s name on the list. The discrepancy has arisen because the EPIC number Yadav used during his search was different from the one he had used in his 2020 election affidavit. The ECI sources further indicated that the EPIC number Yadav used in his search was found to be non-existent after checking records.

The ECI has stressed that no name can be deleted from the draft electoral roll without due process, including providing a written order after a hearing. The poll body has also reiterated that the draft rolls are now available for public inspection, and a claims and objections period is underway until September 1, allowing for corrections. This incident has drawn criticism from other political parties, with some leaders accusing Yadav of spreading misinformation and unnecessarily casting doubt on a democratic institution. The ECI’s firm response highlights its commitment to a transparent and verifiable electoral process.