Voters of 18 constituencies in Bihar, where assembly polls are due later this year, will get electoral rolls in Urdu also, in a first of its kind decision taken by the Election Commission in several years.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar, the poll watchdog said that since as per the 2001 census, there are 18 assembly constituencies where Urdu-speaking population is more than 20 per cent of their total population, the electoral rolls "shall be prepared in Urdu language also by transliteration."
EC said the 2011 census data of mother tongue is yet to be released by the Registrar General of India.
"I cannot say with authority that this is for the first time rolls are being published in Urdu. But certainly it is taking place after several years," a senior EC official said.
EC said the decision of the Commission is part of its voters' facilitation measure.
It said that soon after the final publication of rolls on July 31, the electoral rolls of the 18 assembly constituencies will be prepared in Urdu also by transliteration.
The official said since the CEO Bihar came up with the information recently, EC could not print forms related to electoral rolls in Urdu.
A copy of the roll in Urdu -- to be verified by an official proficient in the language -- will be provided to political parties in electronic form. A copy in PDF format will also be uploaded on the website of the CEO Bihar.
A copy will also be available at the voters' facilitation desk at the polling station on the day of the poll.
"In case of any dispute, the Hindi version shall be the authentic version," the EC said in a bid to remove any ambiguity.
The assembly constituencies are Bahadurganj, Thakurganj, Kishanganj, Kochadhaman in Kishanganj district, Raniganj, Forbesganj, Araria, Jokihat and Sikti in Araria district, Amour, Baisi, Kasba, Purnia in Purnia district, Gaura Bauram, Alinagar, Darbhanga (Rural), Keoti and Jale in Darbhanga district.
