The Election Commission of India (ECI) is facing strong criticism and allegations of "vote theft" related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, ahead of upcoming elections. These allegations, primarily leveled by opposition parties, including Congress, accuse the ECI of manipulating voter lists to favor certain political parties. The ECI has vehemently refuted these claims, calling them an insult to the Constitution and an attempt to undermine public trust in the electoral process.

Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, has been at the forefront of these allegations, claiming that electoral rolls in Bihar have been manipulated to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He alleged discrepancies in the electoral data published by the ECI, and has launched a "Vote Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar to protest the alleged irregularities in the voter roll revision. The "yatra" is scheduled to cover more than 20 districts of Bihar over 16 days. Other opposition leaders, such as RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, have also accused the ECI of conspiring to manipulate Bihar's voter list.

The ECI has responded strongly to these allegations, dismissing them as baseless and misleading. The commission has fact-checked a video posted by Congress, alleging that it was AI-generated and an attempt to mislead the voters of Bihar. The ECI maintains that the electoral rolls are prepared with transparency, involving various stakeholders, and following due legal procedures. The commission has also emphasized that political parties are given opportunities to raise concerns and correct errors in the electoral rolls during designated periods before elections. The ECI has urged political parties to address concerns during these designated periods.

Furthermore, the ECI has expressed its disapproval of the language used by some opposition leaders, particularly the term "vote chori" (vote theft), deeming it an assault on the integrity of poll officials. The commission has challenged Rahul Gandhi to provide concrete evidence to support his claims or apologize to the nation. The ECI has also stated that allegations of electoral malpractice are not new, and that similar claims have been made by various parties in the past.

The Supreme Court has also weighed in on the matter, directing the ECI to make public the names of individuals removed from the voter rolls in Bihar, along with the reasons for their removal. This includes the 2.2 million people that the poll body has said are dead. The ECI has stated that the reasons for exclusion include individuals who have permanently moved from Bihar, those who could not be found, and those who are registered as voters in multiple locations.

The controversy surrounding the alleged "vote theft" in Bihar highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. The ECI's role in ensuring free and fair elections is crucial for upholding the democratic principles of the country. The ECI has reiterated its commitment to conducting the SIR process in Bihar to ensure that the voter rolls are accurate and that every eligible voter is included.