BJP-linked officials in Bihar filed nearly 130 petitions to remove 78,384 Muslim voters, citing citizenship, ahead of the August 31 deadline.

An investigation by the Reporters Collective alleges that BJP functionaries in Bihar’s Dhaka constituency submitted nearly 130 petitions during the Special Intensive Revision process to remove 78,384 Muslim voters from the electoral rolls, with filings occurring at a high rate just before the August 31 deadline. The petitions, reportedly filed by a BJP booth-level agent and another individual linked to the party’s state headquarters, claimed the targeted voters were non-citizens. The Election Commission of India, which oversees the process, stated disputed names would be verified, while the BJP denied knowledge of one individual named “Lokesh.” The final voter list is set for release on September 30, with the election schedule expected next week. The Commission will visit Bihar on October 4 and 5 to assess poll preparedness ahead of the state assembly elections, which must be held before November 22.