‘More dangerous than NRC’: Mamata Banerjee on EC announcement about Bihar electoral roll revision

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the Election Commission’s announcement about revising electoral rolls in Bihar was “even more dangerous” than the National Register of Citizens.

The Trinamool Congress chief was referring to a “special intensive revision” of the voter rolls that the poll body has ordered months ahead of the Bihar Assembly election. As part of the exercise, individuals whose names are not on the 2003 voter list will need to submit proof of eligibility.

Voters born before July 1, 1987 must show proof of their date and place of birth, while those born between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004 must submit documents establishing the date and place of birth of their parents, The Indian Express reported. Those born after December 2, 2004 will need proof of date of birth for both parents, the newspaper reported.

Banerjee claimed that although the exercise began from Bihar, the real target was West Bengal, especially its migrant workers. “The Election Commission must act as an independent institution, not a mouthpiece for the [Bharatiya Janata Party],” she said.

The West Bengal chief minister alleged that through the revision of electoral rolls, the Election Commission was trying to rob young citizens of their voting rights. “Are they working to establish the NRC [National Register...

Read more