Election Commission Implements 1994 Policy for Dignified Verification of Burqa-Clad Voters in Bihar Elections

The Election Commission has ensured special arrangements for "dignified" identification of burqa-clad voters. (File)

New Delhi:

In response to opposition parties requesting the withdrawal of its directive to verify the identity of burqa-clad women at Bihar polling stations, the Election Commission on Thursday defended its position by pointing out that it is simply implementing a policy established in 1994 during T N Seshan's leadership of the electoral body.

The Samajwadi Party has officially requested that the EC rescind its decision regarding the verification of burqa-clad women during the Bihar voting process.

An EC spokesperson clarified that in October 1994, the electoral body had mandated a respectful method for identifying burqa-clad female voters at polling stations.

The October 21, 1994 order stated: "...to protect the sensitivity regarding privacy of women voters, separate enclosures for identification of 'purdahnasheen' women should be provided in the polling station with locally available but absolutely inexpensive devices and using local ingenuity, such as use of charpoys or cloth such as bed spreads."

The EC issued this order in 1994 while expressing concern over low female voter turnout due to prevailing customs and traditions.

The Commission has confirmed that special arrangements are being established at Bihar polling stations to ensure "dignified" identification of women voters wearing burqa or observing purdah.

In a statement released last week, the electoral authority announced that to encourage participation of 'purdanasheen' women, "special arrangements" will be implemented at polling stations according to its guidelines for their "dignified identification" with lady polling officers or attendants present, while maintaining their privacy.

During an October 6 press conference in which he announced the schedule for Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that Anganwadi workers would be present at all polling booths in the state to assist with verifying the identity of burqa-clad voters.

Addressing questions about women in 'ghungat' and burqa, Kumar emphasized that the Election Commission has clear guidelines regarding identity verification inside polling booths, and these would be strictly followed.

"Our Anganwadi workers will be deployed at all polling booths for verifying the identity of burqa-clad women. The guidelines of the commission are very clear about this -- that how identity is verified inside a polling station and they will be strictly followed," he stated.

The electoral authority recently announced that up to 90,712 Anganwadi Sevikas will be assigned to poll duty.

Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal recently urged the Commission to ensure that faces of women arriving at booths in burqa were properly compared with their voter cards.

Elections for Bihar's 243 assembly constituencies will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.