India - August 2025

On 20 August, the Indian government tabled the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, which would permit the removal from office of elected officials if they were detained for 30 consecutive days on charges that carry a minimum five-year sentence. The government maintains that the proposed law aims to reduce corruption and criminal public representatives, as well as enhance integrity in politics. However, opposition leaders and political observers argue that the law could be misused against critics and political rivals. Legal experts also warn that the bill contradicts the principle of the presumption of innocence, undermines due process and threatens representative democracy. The amendment has been sent to a joint parliamentary committee for further review, amid opposition protests.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Observer Research Foundation, The Wire, The Diplomat

In August, opposition leaders raised concerns about a voter verification initiative known as the Special Intensive Revision, launched by the Election Commission in the state of Bihar. The initiative was conducted ahead of Bihar’s key state elections scheduled later this year, with electoral roll revisions currently underway in other states as well. The drive, which aimed to update voter lists after more than 20 years, took place between June and July and required residents to provide extensive documentation as proof of citizenship. Critics have said that the onerous documentation and haste of the exercise risks disenfranchising millions of youths, migrants and marginalized groups. A draft of the updated SIR list was published on 1 August, upon which some analysts noted errors in counting and misassigned names, among other issues. The Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that there has been no wrongdoing, adding that ‘when the voter list is intensively verified, such large differences in numbers are bound to occur.’ The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of the process, with a final verdict expected on 7 October that could impact voter registration practices nationwide. 

Sources: BBC News, The Times of India