Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 6 : Ahead of the announcement of the Bihar Assembly election schedule, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday demanded that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process be conducted in Maharashtra to eliminate fake and duplicate voters.
Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Nirupam said, "Assembly elections in Bihar are going to be announced today. I wish the voters of Bihar to participate in the voting and make the right decision."
He further said, "I would also like to say that before the elections began, a process was initiated under SIR to remove fake voters, infiltrators, or duplicate names, and that process was completed. After the process was completed, the names of 4 million fake voters were removed. Those alleging vote theft were the same people who opposed this SIR."
"Similarly, the voter lists in Maharashtra should also be purged, as they contain a large number of fake voters and infiltrators. To remove all such names, on behalf of Shiv Sena, we demand SIR in Maharashtra," he added.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad expressed confidence that the Election Commission of India (ECI) would ensure free and fair elections in Bihar.
"I hope the Election Commission will strictly enforce the right to vote given to the people in the Constitution. The Constitution will be protected, democracy will be protected, and I hope the Election Commission will conduct free and fair elections... I hope the voters will initiate the change of power," Awadhesh Prasad told ANI.
The ECI is set to announce the Bihar Assembly election schedule today at 4 PM. The term of the current Assembly ends on November 22, 2025. Political parties have urged the Commission to hold polls soon after the Chhath festival to encourage voter participation.
The ECI has introduced new measures to enhance transparency, including capping the number of voters per polling station at 1,200, implementing 100% webcasting across all polling stations, and using upgraded EVM ballot papers for improved clarity.
Currently, the NDA holds 131 seats -- BJP (80), JD(U) (45), HAM(S) (4), and 2 Independents -- while the Mahagathbandhan has 111 seats, comprising RJD (77), Congress (19), CPI(ML) (11), CPI(M) (2), and CPI (2).
The elections are expected to see a direct contest between the ruling NDA, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and the Mahagathbandhan, spearheaded by the RJD.