Mon Jul 14 03:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article, followed by its rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked a debate about the term “ordinarily resident” as it applies to voter eligibility. According to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to be included in a constituency’s electoral roll, a person must be an ‘ordinarily resident’. The interpretation of this term, particularly in relation to migrant laborers (approximately 15 crore voters), is proving contentious. While the law aims to prevent fraudulent registrations and ensure a connection between voters and their constituencies, a strict interpretation could disenfranchise migrant workers who maintain strong ties to their home villages but work elsewhere. The article advocates for amending the RP Act or the RER to protect the voting rights of migrant laborers, suggesting mechanisms like Aadhaar seeding to prevent duplicate registrations.
**News Article:**
**Bihar Electoral Roll Revision Sparks Debate Over Migrant Voter Rights**
**Purnia, Bihar – July 14, 2025** – The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has ignited a national conversation regarding the voting rights of migrant laborers and the interpretation of “ordinarily resident” as defined by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RP Act).
The ECI’s revision in Bihar, aimed at updating and refining voter lists, has brought scrutiny to Section 19 of the RP Act, which mandates that voters must be “ordinarily resident” in a constituency to be eligible to vote there. This requirement, designed to ensure genuine ties between voters and their elected representatives, is raising concerns about its impact on India’s vast migrant worker population, estimated at around 15 crore individuals.
The debate centers on whether migrant laborers, who often work in temporary locations far from their home villages, should be removed from the electoral rolls of their native constituencies. While some argue that a strict interpretation of “ordinarily resident” is necessary to prevent fraudulent registrations, critics contend that doing so would disenfranchise a significant portion of the electorate. These laborers often maintain strong ties to their home communities, where their families reside and where they may own property.
Legal precedents, such as the Gauhati High Court’s Manmohan Singh case, further complicate the issue by defining “ordinarily resident” as a habitual and permanent residence. This definition may exclude migrant workers who move frequently for employment.
“Removing migrant voters from their original constituencies based on a rigid interpretation of ‘ordinarily resident’ could undermine the democratic process,” said R. Rangarajan, a former IAS officer and political analyst. “Many migrant workers are unlikely to register in their temporary places of work, leading to widespread disenfranchisement.”
Currently, the RP Act provides exemptions for service voters, government employees posted abroad, and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), allowing them to retain their votes in their home constituencies. Advocates argue for similar considerations for migrant laborers, who often migrate due to economic necessity.
Experts are calling for amendments to the RP Act or the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 (RER), to protect the voting rights of migrant laborers. Proposed solutions include mechanisms to enable participation in elections regardless of current location, alongside measures like Aadhaar seeding to prevent duplicate registrations across multiple constituencies.
The debate surrounding the Bihar electoral roll revision highlights the complex challenges of balancing electoral integrity with the democratic rights of a mobile workforce. The ECI is expected to address these concerns as the revision process continues.
First Piper 