Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav alleged on Saturday that his name was missing from the newly released draft electoral rolls. The Election Commission has since debunked the claim — calling it ‘baseless’ and sharing documentary proof of his registration details. More than 66 lakh voters have been dropped following a Special Intensive Revision exercise ahead of the Assembly elections.
‘Dealing in fraudulent and false claims’
The RJD leader made the startling claim during an event on Saturday — explaining that he had used EPIC number RAB2916120 to unsuccessfully search for his details. The poll body later refuted the claim and released a copy of the draft rolls with his name, photograph and other details highlighted. Officials also confirmed that the EPIC number Yadav had used to contest two elections remained valid and found mention in the latest records. However, the EPIC number he claimed to have used to check the details was found to be invalid.
Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Samrat Choudhary and the Patna district administration also refuted the claim — sharing a screenshot of the draft electoral rolls and highlighting Yadav’s details.
“Your name is very much alongside that of your father, respected Lalu Prasad (RJD supremo). You would do better to shut your shop dealing in fraudulent and false claims”, said Choudhary.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say?
“Now look! I am myself not registered as a voter. This disqualifies me from contesting elections. Perhaps, I cease to be treated as a citizen and stand deprived of the right to live in this house,” Yadav claimed during a press conference on Saturday.
He also claimed that he was not provided with any receipt by the booth-level officer who came to his place with an enumeration form. The RJD leader had earlier threatened to boycott the upcoming polls — alleging that the EC was trying to help the ruling NDA through the special intensive revision.
Yadav later alleged in a social media post that approximately 65 lakh voter names have been arbitrarily removed from the electoral rolls — insisting that the new draft list lacked clarity and explanation. He accused the Election Commission of going back on its promises of transparency and fairness.
The poll body had released the draft electoral rolls on Friday afternoon, following the completion of the Enumeration Phase under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025. It said the public has one month to submit claims and objections, assuring that “no name will be removed from the draft voter list without a stated reason.”
(With inputs from agencies)