Letter details: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) wrote a letter to the Election Commission of India on July 10, 2025, requesting clarification on the scope of the ongoing Special In-depth Review (SIR) campaign in Bihar. The party said that the SIR should be kept completely separate from the citizenship verification process, as it is being misconstrued as a citizenship test, which is causing fear and confusion among voters. The letter said: “The Election Commission should ensure that the sole purpose of the SIR is to update the voter list and include eligible voters. It should not be presented as a citizenship verification process in any way.” The TDP demanded that the Election Commission clarify in all its regional guidelines that the SIR has nothing to do with citizenship. The party suggested that the Commission issue an official statement to dispel the fear and misconceptions spread among voters. SIR spreading fear and confusion: The TDP pointed out in its letter that the SIR campaign is being misrepresented as a verification of citizenship, which is causing fear, especially among the rural and poor sections of Bihar. Many voters in Bihar, especially from the backward and marginalized sections, do not have essential documents like birth certificates or passports. They are therefore seeing the campaign as a denial of their right to vote. An X-post said: “The SIR campaign in Bihar is creating fear among voters. The Election Commission should immediately clarify that this is not a citizenship test, but a process of correcting the voter list.” Background to the SIR campaign: The Election Commission of India had announced on June 24, 2025 that the SIR campaign in Bihar will begin from June 25 and continue till September 30. The aim of the campaign is to update the voter list and remove ineligible voters, especially illegal immigrants, ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. There are a total of 7.9 crore voters in Bihar, out of which 4.96 crore voters, who are included in the 2003 voter list, will have to submit only one enumeration form and a part of the 2003 voter list. While 2.93 crore voters who joined after 2004 or completed the age of 18 will have to submit proof of their date of birth and location. Opposition protests: Opposition parties, especially The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have strongly protested. They allege that the SIR campaign is an attempt to remove lakhs of eligible voters, especially the poor and marginalised sections, from the voter list. The TDP has also expressed its concern in the same context and demanded that the Election Commission clarify the nature of the campaign so that the rights of the voters can be protected. An RJD leader said: “This campaign is being run under a specific agenda. Targeting the poor and minority voters is a threat to democracy.” Election Commission’s responsibility: The TDP, in its letter, stressed that the Election Commission has a responsibility to restore the trust of the voters. The party said that the SIR campaign should be transparent and impartial, and should not be used for any political or social agenda. An ex-post said: “The SIR campaign should be used to protect the rights of the voters, not to deprive them. The Election Commission should take immediate action. Source: Aaj Tak: The Hindu: Indian Express: Times of India: X-Posts: