With Bihar elections on the horizon, a fresh political storm is brewing over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) new voter verification guidelines. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi has raised serious concerns, accusing the ECI of implementing a “backdoor NRC” (National Register of Citizens) in the state. He warned that the new rules—demanding extensive birth documentation—not only resemble the controversial NRC exercise but could also disenfranchise thousands of poor and marginalized citizens, particularly in Bihar’s flood-prone Seemanchal region.
“This is NRC in Disguise”: Owaisi Slams ECI
Taking to social media platform X, Owaisi didn’t mince words. “The Election Commission is conducting NRC in Bihar through the backdoor,” he wrote, highlighting how the requirement for detailed proof of birth for both the applicant and their parents will unfairly impact the poorest sections of society.
“People in Seemanchal can barely afford two meals a day. To expect them to possess their parents’ birth certificates is a cruel joke,” he said. Owaisi argued that even official estimates show only 75% of births in India are ever registered, making the requirement of multi-generational documentation unrealistic.
What Do the New Rules Say?
As per the alleged guidelines, the voter verification process divides people into three categories based on their date of birth:
- Born before July 1, 1987: Must produce any one of 11 government-approved documents showing their date and/or place of birth.
- Born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004: Must show proof of their own birth details and one parent’s birth details.
- Born after December 2, 2004: Must present documents proving their own birth details and both parents’ birthplaces. If a parent is a foreign national, valid passport and visa records at the time of birth are also required.
Owaisi argued that these rules effectively shift the burden of proof onto the voter, contrary to democratic principles. He claimed the framework could render thousands ineligible to vote—many of whom have been part of India’s electoral process for years.
Echoes of Assam NRC and 1995 Supreme Court Ruling
The controversy immediately drew comparisons to the NRC exercise in Assam, where over 19 lakh people were excluded from the final list in 2019. Owaisi referenced a 1995 Supreme Court judgment (Lal Babu Hussein case), which ruled that once a person is on the electoral roll, they cannot be removed without due notice and proper procedure.
“It is the ECI’s burden to prove that a voter is ineligible, not the citizen’s burden to prove they are Indian,” Owaisi emphasized. The court had also clearly stated that citizenship cannot be judged solely on a narrow set of documents; any valid form of evidence must be considered.
Race Against Time? Voter Verification in Just One Month
Another contentious point is the timeline. According to Owaisi, the ECI plans to complete door-to-door voter verification in Bihar within a month—between June and July. With Bihar being one of the most densely populated and poorly connected states, Owaisi questioned the feasibility and fairness of such a massive exercise in such a short window.
“How can you expect this process to be completed fairly in flood-hit, rural areas with poor transport and digital access?” he asked.
Political Implications Ahead of Bihar Polls
Bihar is set to go to the polls in October or November 2025, though official dates are yet to be announced. With regional politics in flux and caste equations shifting, Owaisi’s claims have added a volatile new dimension to the pre-election atmosphere.
His allegations have struck a chord among many in the state’s backward and minority communities, particularly in regions like Seemanchal, where documentation is sparse and economic hardship widespread. Civil rights groups have also started voicing concerns over the voter verification drive, warning that it could replicate the exclusionary effects seen in Assam.
ECI Yet to Respond
As of now, the Election Commission has not released an official statement addressing Owaisi’s allegations. Nor has it clarified the legal framework or objective behind the revised documentation rules. However, officials have privately confirmed that a door-to-door verification campaign is underway as part of routine voter list maintenance.
Whether this escalates into a larger political and legal battle will likely depend on the ECI’s response and the nature of exclusions that follow.
A Fight for the Right to Vote
At the heart of Owaisi’s concern is the constitutional right to vote. His post underscores the fear that poor documentation could become a new form of voter suppression, particularly in underserved regions.
“The right to vote is not a privilege—it is a right enshrined in our Constitution,” Owaisi wrote. “Any move that denies this right to the poor or makes it harder to claim, especially close to elections, is a threat to democracy itself.”
As Bihar gears up for the high-stakes election, all eyes will be on how the Election Commission handles this growing controversy—and whether India’s most vulnerable voters will get the chance to cast their ballots without fear or obstacle.
