Bihar is currently undergoing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its voter lists, and initial findings from the Election Commission (EC) indicate a significant number of individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar residing in the state. These findings emerged from a door-to-door verification drive conducted by booth-level officers (BLOs) as part of the SIR. The BLOs have reported that many of these individuals have managed to acquire Indian documents such as Aadhaar cards, domicile certificates, and ration cards, allegedly through illicit means.

The Election Commission has taken serious note of these irregularities and has announced a detailed inquiry to be conducted between August 1 and August 30. The names of individuals found to be illegal migrants will not be included in the final electoral roll, which is scheduled for publication on September 30, 2025.

This special revision of voter lists was launched on June 24 with the aim of removing ineligible names and ensuring that only Indian citizens are registered to vote. The last such revision in Bihar was conducted in 2003. The Election Commission has cited reasons such as rapid urbanization, frequent migration, young citizens becoming eligible to vote, non-reporting of deaths, and the inclusion of names of foreign illegal immigrants as factors necessitating this revision.

The discovery of illegal immigrants on the voter rolls has sparked debate in Bihar, particularly in light of the upcoming Assembly election. The Election Commission's directive on June 24, requiring many voters in Bihar to furnish proof of Indian citizenship to remain on the rolls, has also drawn criticism. Some argue that demanding proof of citizenship in mass numbers could unfairly target vulnerable groups.

The Election Commission has clarified that suspected illegal migrants will not be added to the final voters' list. Only after detailed enquiry and verification will any name be included or excluded. The current drive in Bihar is seen as a precursor to a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aimed at identifying and removing illegal foreign nationals from electoral rolls across India. This initiative gains urgency in light of recent crackdowns on illegal migrants in several states, particularly those from Bangladesh and Myanmar, where concerns over border infiltration remain high.

The SIR involves BLOs visiting households to verify the details of voters and identify any discrepancies. During these visits, the BLOs flag individuals who are suspected of being foreign nationals. These cases are then investigated further to determine the validity of their citizenship.

The Election Commission has stated that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship. In a recent court hearing, it was argued that Aadhaar, ration cards, and identity cards issued by the Election Commission should be considered valid documents for re-verifying voters' identities. While the court has not paused the revision exercise, it expressed doubts about the poll body's ability to complete the task in time for the election without excluding genuine voters and allowing individuals the right to appeal.