BJP Calls for Voter ID Verification for Women in Bihar Elections

BJP's Proposal for Voter ID Checks

On Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar requested the Election Commission to verify the identities of women wearing veils during the forthcoming Assembly elections by matching them with their voter ID photographs.

After a meeting with the Election Commission team led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal stated, “We have asked the Election Commission to ensure that female officials conduct facial identification of ‘parda nasheen’ women against their voter ID images.”

Jaiswal emphasized that this step is crucial to guarantee that legitimate voters can participate in the electoral process.

The Election Commission is currently on a two-day visit to Bihar, engaging with representatives from recognized political parties as they prepare for the announcement of election dates.

In response to the BJP's request, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Abhay Kushwaha accused the party of attempting to promote its own agenda during discussions with the Election Commission. He described the move as a political maneuver.

Kushwaha remarked, “This is a political conspiracy. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has just been completed, and new EPIC cards with updated photographs will be issued to all voters. Voter identification is not a significant issue.”

Additionally, Jaiswal urged the Election Commission to conduct the elections in one or two phases, arguing that multiple phases would increase candidates' expenses and disrupt government operations.

Kushwaha echoed this sentiment, stating that the RJD also advocates for the Assembly elections to be held in no more than two phases, given the limited time remaining before the current Assembly's term expires.

The term for the 243-member Bihar Assembly is set to conclude on November 22, necessitating the completion of the election process before that date.