The real power of democracy lies in the voter’s vote. But in a state like Bihar, when flaws are seen in the electoral processes, many times the real entitled citizens are deprived of the right to vote. Especially in the case of women migrant voters, the SIR (Special Summary Revision) process has raised many questions.
What is SIR process?
SIR Special Summary Revision Process is a campaign run from time to time by the Election Commission in which the voter list is updated. Its purpose is to add new voters and correct old mistakes. But at the practical level, this process often creates problems for migrant women voters.
Migrant women population of Bihar
A large number of people from Bihar go to other states for employment. A large number of these migrants are women – many of whom live abroad with their husbands or have settled in another state after marriage. These migrant women often disappear from the voter list because their names are not registered at the right time or at the right place.
Complex process of registration
Addition of a new name or transfer of name from old address to new address under the SIR process is full of paperwork. This becomes even more difficult for women migrant voters as they often have to submit documents at both the old and new addresses. This has marginalized most women out of the process.
Socio-cultural barriers
Also women in rural Bihar find themselves not able to actively participate in the voting process due to their social reasons. Husband or men in the family tend to do the paperwork. In such a situation, it is common for migrant women voters to be left out or not registered correctly.
Technical difficulties and digital divide
Today, a large part of voter registration is done through digital means. But women in rural areas of Bihar lack smartphones, internet or digital literacy. Due to this, women migrant voters are often left out of the online processes of SIR.
Impact on electoral politics
When a large number of women migrant voters are deprived of voting, it directly affects the election results. Voting participation of women in Bihar has always been important. In such a situation, the deprivation of this class also raises questions on the transparency of democracy.
Administrative indifference
Local election officials often show laxity in checking documents or do not take the migrant status of women seriously. Due to this administrative negligence, even eligible women voters are left out of the list.
Attack on women’s suffrage
The right to vote is not just the right to cast vote, but is a symbol of equal participation in democracy. When women migrant voters are disenfranchised, it is a violation of their fundamental right given by the Constitution.
Solution possibilities
To solve this problem, it is necessary to make flexible rules in the SIR process. Open special facilitation centers for women migrant voters, run mobile verification units and increase digital literacy. Also, women should be encouraged to register themselves.
Way forward
In a state like Bihar, where migration and women voters are both big issues, a transparent and simple SIR process can strengthen democracy. Election Commission, government and society – all have to work together to ensure that no female migrant voter is deprived of her right to vote.
Conclusion
Bihar’s SIR process is an important effort to strengthen democracy, but when this process becomes a hindrance for women migrant voters, it becomes necessary to review it. Right to vote by women is not only about being allowed to participate only in political right but a show to them that they were considered equal participants and empowered. Hence, an initial step to electoral reform in Bihar would be to grant equal rights to every female migrant voter and no citizen can be excluded in the mainstream of democracy.
