Tejashwi Yadav Claims Omission from Voter List; Patna Officials Confirm His Name Is Included

Patna, August 2, 2025 — RJD leader and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav recently raised eyebrows when he claimed that his name was missing from the newly released draft electoral rolls. During a press interaction, Yadav said that even though he tried checking his name using his EPIC number on the Election Commission’s app, it displayed a “no records found” message. Expressing frustration, he asked, “How will I contest elections if I’m not even on the voter list?”

He criticized the Election Commission, hinting at a deliberate attempt to remove names selectively, thereby raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

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Election Commission and Patna Officials Respond

Soon after the allegation went public, both the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Patna District Administration issued clarifications. They confirmed that Tejashwi Yadav’s name is indeed included in the draft voter list.

According to District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan SM, Tejashwi’s name appears at Serial No. 416, under Polling Station No. 204 (Library Building, Bihar Animal Sciences University). Prior to that, he had been listed at Serial No. 481 in Polling Station No. 171.

The ECI described the claim as “factually incorrect” and reassured that the electoral data was intact.

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Confusion Stems From a Tech Glitch or Lookup Error

The issue may have originated from either a technical glitch in the Election Commission’s mobile app or a search error using the EPIC number. Tejashwi’s inability to retrieve his details does not imply removal from the list, officials said.

Additionally, some users have reported problems accessing the app or website during the Special Summary Revision (SIR) period, which may have contributed to the confusion.

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Massive Roll Cleanup Behind the Stir

This year’s draft voter list revision is part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program in Bihar. The exercise led to the removal of around 65 lakh (6.5 million) names, intended to eliminate outdated, duplicate, or ineligible entries. The updated list now includes around 7.24 crore (72.4 million) voters.

The revision drive has been under public scrutiny due to its large-scale deletions, which opposition parties believe may unfairly impact genuine voters, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

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Opposition Calls for Accountability and Action

Tejashwi Yadav’s public statement has fueled criticism from the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, which has accused the government of attempting to manipulate the voter rolls for political advantage.

Yadav also pointed out that key voter information like booth numbers, addresses, and EPIC IDs were missing from some public versions of the draft, making it harder for people to verify whether their names were still included.

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INDIA Bloc Plans State-Wide Protest Campaign

Following this controversy, the opposition has announced a statewide yatra (march) that will begin soon after Raksha Bandhan (August 8–9). The aim is to bring awareness to what they call “systematic disenfranchisement” of poor, migrant, and young voters.

Leaders from various opposition parties, including Congress and RJD, plan to take this issue directly to the people in Bihar’s districts, claiming that these omissions are politically motivated.

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Claims and Objections Open Until September 1

The Election Commission has opened a claims and objections period from August 1 to September 1, allowing voters to file corrections or request reinstatement if their names were wrongly removed.

Officials have urged political parties and voters to go through the booth-level lists thoroughly and submit forms if discrepancies are found. So far, there has been no official objection filed by Tejashwi Yadav or his party’s representatives.

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Why This Controversy Matters

• Public trust in the electoral process is at stake, especially when a senior leader like Tejashwi Yadav raises concerns.
• Critics argue that the lack of transparency in the voter list revision process has made it hard for citizens to verify their inclusion.
• The issue brings attention to the digital divide and procedural gaps that could disenfranchise many, particularly in rural and under-resourced areas.

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Conclusion

While Tejashwi Yadav claimed his name was missing from the voter list, official records confirm that he is still registered. The episode highlights potential communication and technical lapses in the electoral process and has sparked a larger debate about voter rights, transparency, and electoral fairness. With the opposition gearing up for statewide protests and the EC providing a correction window, the coming weeks may see heightened political activity in Bihar surrounding this issue.