The Election Commission of India began a Special Intensive Revision of the Bihar voter list earlier this month — excluding 65 lakh voters from the draft electoral roll. The updated electoral rolls however included two Pakistani women who had come to India in 1956. The glitch was later flagged by the Home Ministry during a probe into foreign nationals overstaying their visas.
The district administration initiated the name-removal process after the cases came to light — with notices being sent to both women to present their side of the issue. The Bhagalpur District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police have also been asked to investigate, verify, and submit a detailed report along with necessary action.
“According to certain information, their names were found in the voter list. After verification, we will have Form-7 filled and take action to remove the names as required. These instructions were received from the Ministry of Home Affairs,” said Bhagalpur DM Dr Naval Kishor Chaudhary without elaboration.
Travelled from Pakistan in 1950s
According to an ANI report, the duo had come from Pakistan in 1956 and later received voter ID cards. They were also verified during the Special Intensive Revision process earlier this year. The Bhagalpur residents had arrived on shorter-term visas that were allotted in the 1950s. The Home Ministry had identified the women during a separate probe — prompting fresh scrutiny and initiation of the removal process.
The MHA investigation revealed that voter ID cards had been made in Bhagalpur for Imrana Khanam alias Imrana Khatoon and Firdousia Khanam. The report explained that Firdousia had come to India on January 19, 1956, on a three-month visa while Imrana travelled with a three-year visa.
‘We vote every time’
The two women — both residing in the same area — had been verified during the recent SIR process. They both hold EPIC numbers and their families also told the media on Sunday that they vote ‘every time’.
“I verified them during the SIR…I received a letter from the department with her passport number, which I cross-checked. We have been asked to remove her name. Her name is Imrana Khanam… She was not in a condition to talk; she is old and unwell. As per the orders of the department, I filled out the form and began the process of removing her name. Her passport is of 1956, and she got her visa in 1958. She is from Pakistan… The next step of the investigation will be carried out by the department… I had received a notice from the Home Ministry on 11 August.,” Booth Level Officer Farzana Khanam told ANI.
“No one has come here for any investigation. You see what the evidence is. The BLO had come earlier and took all the papers. Out of 11 documents, we submitted ours. We vote every time,” ANI quoted Firdousia Khatoon’s son – Mohammad Gulrez – as saying.
(With inputs from agencies)