“Why Hold Municipal Elections on 2024 Voter List?” Babulal Marandi Challenges Hemant Government, Warns of Protest

Jharkhand Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi has raised objections to holding the 2026 municipal elections based on the voter list of October 2024. He has demanded that the elections be conducted using the updated voter list to ensure that no eligible voter is denied their constitutional right.

Marandi Objects to Old Voter List

Marandi expressed concern over reports that the state government plans to conduct municipal elections using the October 2024 voter list, which was used for the previous assembly elections. He warned that this would exclude thousands of new voters who were added to the list after October 1, 2024, as well as those who have shifted residences and updated their names in voter rolls, from participating in the upcoming municipal elections.

“The exclusion of such voters violates the fundamental principles of democracy,” Marandi said. He emphasized that voter lists are regularly revised annually and semi-annually. Ignoring these updates undermines the fairness of the electoral process and infringes upon the constitutional rights of citizens.

Warning of Statewide Protest

Marandi further stated that denying any citizen the right to vote is a grave injustice. He stressed that it is the constitutional duty of the state government to ensure every eligible voter can participate in choosing their municipal representatives. He warned that if the government does not take the issue seriously, it could escalate into a statewide movement.

The election process for Jharkhand’s 48 municipal bodies began on January 28. Notifications have been issued across all districts, with voting scheduled for February 23 and counting and results on February 27.