India, July 24 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar, reiterating the exercise is a constitutional responsibility to ensure free and fair elections. In a statement, it questioned whether it should "pave the way" for fake votes to be cast in the name of deceased, migrated, or duplicate voters.

The statement came as Opposition lawmakers protested in Parliament House complex against the revision, demanded its roll back, and a discussion on it in both Houses. They raised slogans such as "save democracy" and carried a banner, calling the exercise an attack on democracy as they protested for a third day, alleging the revision was aimed at d...