**Title:** Tejashwi Yadav Rejects Claims of Foreign Voters in Bihar
**Meta Description:** RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav dismisses allegations of foreign voters in Bihar’s electoral rolls, calling the claims baseless during a press conference.
**URL Slug:** tejashwi-yadav-foreign-voters-bihar
**Headline:** Tejashwi Yadav Dismisses Allegations of Foreign Voters in Bihar’s Electoral Rolls
In a recent press conference, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav vehemently rejected reports suggesting the presence of foreign voters in Bihar’s electoral rolls. He referred to these claims as ‘mutra’ (urine), emphasizing their lack of credibility. This statement came in response to information reportedly received by the Election Commission regarding alleged fake voters from Bangladesh and Nepal residing in the state.
Yadav criticized the Election Commission’s assertion that they had received credible inputs about foreign voters, stating, “These are not sources; they are ‘mutra’.” He raised concerns about the legitimacy of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging significant flaws in the process.
He pointed out a recent press note from the Election Commission, which claimed that 80 percent of voter forms had been submitted in Bihar. Yadav countered this by stating, “Even my own form has not been collected. Forms are being thrown around, and in some places, they’re even being used to sell jalebis.” He highlighted the lack of transparency in the process, which he argued has created confusion among voters and Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Yadav further criticized the Election Commission for allowing documents to be submitted later without issuing an official Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). He noted ongoing technical issues, including server problems and ignored complaints, suggesting that the entire exercise appeared to be a mere facade. He accused the Election Commission of acting under the influence of the BJP.
The RJD leader warned that even a small percentage of voter exclusion could disenfranchise approximately 7.9 lakh voters across Bihar. He pointed out that in 52 constituencies during the last election, the victory margin was just 5,000 votes, indicating that if this trend continues, around 3,200 votes could be lost per constituency. Yadav expressed concern that voters who have migrated out of Bihar might be unfairly removed from the electoral rolls.
Mukesh Sahani, another leader from the Mahagathbandhan, echoed Yadav’s concerns, alleging irregularities in the revision process. He shared his experience of submitting his form to verify the situation, likening the process to demonetization and labeling it a “vote-ban.” Sahani urged the Election Commission to safeguard the rights of underprivileged voters.
During a press interaction, Yadav reiterated his dismissal of claims regarding illegal migrants on the voter list, stating, “We consider such sources as ‘mutra’. There is no basis for it.” He shared a video of this interaction on social media, further amplifying his message.
The Election Commission initiated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive on June 25 to verify the citizenship status of registered voters in Bihar. Currently, over 77,000 BLOs and government staff are engaged in verifying the credentials of approximately 7.8 crore voters. Officials have indicated that names of individuals identified as foreign nationals will not be included in the final electoral roll, set to be published on September 30, following proper verification.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What are the allegations regarding foreign voters in Bihar?**
A: Allegations suggest that there are fake voters from Bangladesh and Nepal on Bihar’s electoral rolls, which RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has dismissed as baseless claims.
