The Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has triggered a political storm ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections later this year. The exercise, which requires voters to prove their citizenship, has been criticised by opposition parties, who allege it is a veiled attempt to disenfranchise voters and a "backdoor" National Register of Citizens (NRC).

What is the Special Intensive Revision?

The ECI has initiated a special revision of electoral rolls in Bihar to ensure accurate voter lists. This involves verifying the eligibility of each elector. As part of this process, those enrolled after 2003 need to submit proof of citizenship. For those born after July 1, 1987, they need to provide their date and place of birth, and those born after 2004, need to provide the same information for their parents. The last intensive revision in Bihar was conducted in 2003. The ECI says the revision addresses issues such as rapid urbanisation, migration, young voters becoming eligible, and the inclusion of ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants. The final roll will be published after verification, with a qualifying date of July 1, 2025.

Why the Political Heat?

The SIR has faced strong opposition from political parties, mainly Congress and TMC, who argue that the revision process could disenfranchise eligible voters. Critics say that the requirement for new documentation, including proof of citizenship, adds complexity to voter registration. Some leaders have called the move "more dangerous than NRC". They argue that the exercise will result in "utter chaos and large-scale inaccuracies and deletions" due to the short time frame. Concerns have also been raised about the ECI's intentions and timing, with allegations that the revision is being done to favour the ruling alliance. The CPI(ML)L has raised objections, calling it a "logistically absurd idea".

ECI's Stand

The ECI has defended its decision, stating that the revision is necessary to maintain the integrity of the electoral rolls and ensure that only eligible citizens are registered to vote. The ECI has clarified that the exercise is not a "de-novo exercise," meaning it is not creating a brand-new roll from scratch. The 2003 electoral roll will be used as the base draft. Voters whose names were present in the 2003 list only need to verify their details. The ECI is also taking steps to assist vulnerable groups, with volunteers helping the elderly, disabled, and those in need. SMS messages are being sent to registered mobile numbers. The ECI has stated that all activities related to the SIR are progressing well as per schedule and that the Constitution is supreme.

Implementation and Concerns

The SIR is being carried out across Bihar's 243 constituencies, with booth level officers conducting door-to-door verification. Nearly 20,603 more BLOs are being appointed for new polling stations. While the ECI already has 77,895 booth-level officers (BLOs) in the state, it is appointing nearly 20,603 more BLOs for new polling stations. The ECI will treat the state's 2003 electoral roll as proof of eligibility, including presumption of Indian citizenship unless it receives any input otherwise. For the estimated 50 million voters from the 2003 electoral roll, the commission is sending SMS alerts directing them to download digital copies from the commission website so they can submit those as proof along with their forms.

Looking Ahead

Bihar is the first phase of a planned nationwide electoral roll revision. The ECI plans to extend the SIR across India, with schedules for other states to be announced later. The terms of the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are ending in May-June next year, and an intensive revision of the electoral rolls in these states will commence by the end of the year. The revision in Bihar is expected to be completed by September 30, with the publication of updated voter rolls.