Tejaswi Yadav claims name missing from Bihar survey list, poll body fact-checks

PTC News Desk: RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav alleged on Saturday that his name was missing from the updated draft voters' list released a day earlier in election-bound Bihar.

However, the Election Commission promptly dismissed the claim, terming it “mischievous,” and released Yadav’s electoral details to counter the allegation.

During a press conference in Patna, Yadav displayed his Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number and entered it into the Commission’s official mobile app, which returned a “no records found” message.

"My name is also not on the voter list. How will I contest the elections?," the RJD leader asked at the presser.

Shortly after Yadav's claim, the Election Commission released a copy of the electoral rolls showing his details, confirming that he was listed at a booth in the Veterinary College in Patna.

"It has come to our attention that Tejashwi Yadav has made a mischievous claim that his name does not appear in the draft electoral roll. His name is listed at Serial Number 416 in the Draft Electoral Roll. Therefore, any claim stating that his name is not included in the draft electoral roll is false and factually incorrect," the Commission said.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar has sparked significant controversy, with the Opposition denouncing it as a deliberate attempt to exclude and disenfranchise key sections of its support base. As protests erupted both within and outside Parliament, the Election Commission on Friday released the updated draft electoral rolls, which removed 65 lakh names deemed to be ineligible voters.

"Were any notices given to the 65 lakh voters whose names have been deleted? Did the 65 lakh voters get any chance to appeal?," Yadav asked, further alleging that the Election Commission "is doing targeted work and ending democracy".