Will vehemently oppose SIR in Odisha, if Bihar approach adopted, says BJD

The Biju Janata Dal announced on Tuesday (August 19, 2025) it will oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) scheduled in Odisha next month if the Election Commission of India (ECI) adopts the same approach as Bihar, where genuine voters were allegedly disenfranchised due to hasty processes and inadequate time

The BJD was responding to Election Commission of India, which invited the regional party for its suggestion to improve election process.

Amar Patnaik, former Rajya Sabha member, raised the issue of SIR with the Election Commission and said that the BJD will vehemently oppose its implementation if it follows the same approach as adopted in Bihar.

“The SIR should be conducted with the right objective of improving transparency in the electoral process, with active involvement of all stakeholders. No eligible voter should be disenfranchised under the pretext of removing ineligible voters from the electoral roll,” the party delegation told ECI.

The BJD said it will chalk out its plan over the issues depending upon the response of the ECI and may take the agitational programme if the genuine issues are not addressed, the party said.

The delegation led by Debi Prasad Mishra, senior party vice president, reiterated its objection to the unexplained and unusual variances in the number of votes polled and counted, the discrepancies between MP and MLA segment votes counted, and the sudden increase in polling percentage after 5 p.m. during the last simultaneous general and assembly elections in 2024. The party had earlier formally given memorandum to ECI on this issue in December 2024.

The party also raised the issue of non-receipt of Form 17C, despite repeated efforts from local election officers to the apex level. According a statement issued by BJD, the Election Commission expressed surprise and acknowledged that Form 17C should have been provided.

The BJD presented its findings to ECI, highlighting how the available data indicates voting irregularities and raised concerns regarding the integrity, legitimacy, and impartiality of the electoral process.

“Regarding the preparation of electoral rolls, the delegation suggested improvements with a focus on ensuring that no legal voter is disenfranchised, especially migrants and temporary workers,” the party said.

“Since NRIs are entitled to register their names in the electoral roll in their native constituencies in India as per the provisions of Section 20A(1-C) a harsh view should not be taken against migrant and temporary workers working outside Odisha,” Mr. Mishra pointed out.

“Doing so may lead to socio-cultural disharmony in their native villages if they are deprived of voting rights,” he said. According to BJD, the ECI assured that it would provide a longer period and more opportunities for enrolment.