New Delhi, July 16 -- Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday criticised the decision of the Election Commission to determine citizenship of Indian nationals, accusing them of doing "NRC through back door" over the poll-body's decision to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the Bihar Assembly election and stated that the constitutional rights of voters were being snatched.

He further questioned why the exercise was being conducted four to five months before the Bihar assembly polls, further stating that there was an atmosphere of fear in Bihar.

"The constitutional rights of the voters are being snatched...The matter is pending before the Supreme Court...It is not the responsibility of the Elect...