The first phase of Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral roll concluded on July 25, 2025, revealing Bihar Voter Roll is approximately 6.5 million names—about 9% of the state’s 78.9 million registered voters—may be excluded from the upcoming draft roll. This extensive cleanup, the first since 2003, aims to ensure the accuracy of the voter list ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections expected later this year.
Details of Bihar Voter Roll
The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that the revision identified 2.2 million deceased voters, 700,000 duplicate registrations, and 3.5 million individuals who have either migrated permanently or could not be traced during door-to-door verification. An additional 120,000 voters failed to submit required enumeration forms. The draft electoral roll, set to include 72.3 million verified voters, will be published on August 1, with a claims and objections period extending until September 1. The final roll is slated for release on September 30.
This process has sparked significant controversy, with opposition parties and activists raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement, particularly among migrant workers, the poor, and marginalized communities. Many voters, especially in rural areas, struggle to provide the 11 required documents, such as birth certificates or government-issued IDs, due to low document ownership. The ECI has clarified that voters listed in the 2003 electoral roll—around 49.6 million—need only verify their details, easing the burden for some. However, those registered post-2003 face stricter scrutiny, requiring proof of identity, residency, and, in some cases, parental details.
Response of SC
The Supreme Court, responding to legal challenges, permitted the ECI to proceed but questioned the timing of the SIR and the exclusion of Aadhaar as valid proof, noting its potential to hinder vulnerable populations. Critics argue the rushed timeline, coupled with Bihar’s high migration rates and bureaucratic challenges, risks excluding legitimate voters, potentially swaying closely contested seats. For instance, data suggests eastern Bihar districts like Araria and Purnia may see higher-than-average deletions, raising fears of disproportionate impact on minority and low-income groups.
To address these issues, the ECI has mobilized nearly 100,000 booth-level officers and introduced online submission options via the ECINet app and electors.eci.gov.in, alongside provisions for voters outside Bihar to submit forms through family members or WhatsApp. Political parties have been invited to monitor the process, with lists of flagged voters shared for transparency.
As the August 1 draft publication approaches, the SIR’s outcome could shape the fairness and credibility of Bihar’s electoral process. Southasiandesk.com will continue to track developments to keep readers informed.
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
