With the deadline for submission of enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar fast approaching on July 25, 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is making a final push to ensure comprehensive voter list accuracy. As of today, only approximately 54 lakh enumeration forms are left to be collected in Bihar. Simultaneously, a significant number of voters, approximately 35.69 lakh, have been categorized as "not found".
The ECI has reported that 88.65% of existing electors in Bihar, which accounts for 6,99,92,926 people, have submitted their enumeration forms. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar thanked the voters of Bihar for their active participation in cleaning up the electoral rolls. The poll body has stated that the remaining electors will be contacted individually by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Nearly one lakh BLOs will soon begin their third round of door-to-door visits. These efforts are being supported by 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLA) that have been appointed by political parties.
Of significant concern is the large number of voters who have not been located during field verifications. According to the ECI, 4.5% of electors, totaling 35.69 lakh individuals, were not found at their registered addresses despite three rounds of verification. Further analysis suggests that a portion of these "not found" voters includes approximately 12.5 lakh deceased individuals, 17.5 lakh who have permanently migrated, and 5.5 lakh individuals enrolled in multiple locations. These discrepancies raise concerns about potential duplication and ineligibility within the electoral rolls.
In a move towards transparency, the ECI has announced that starting July 17, 2025, the names and details of these 35.6 lakh voters will be shared with recognized political parties in Bihar. This step allows parties to examine the list, verify the voters' status, and raise objections or provide supporting documents before any names are officially removed from the roll. The last date for submission of forms is July 25. The poll body has also stated that people who have temporarily migrated outside Bihar can fill the enumeration form online using their mobile phones through the ECINet App or through the voters' service portal.
The ECI is undertaking various measures to ensure that all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll, which is scheduled to be published on August 1, 2025. Special camps have been set up in all 5,683 wards of the 261 urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state. Newspaper advertisements have been issued to encourage electors to fill their forms in time. The ECI is also encouraging electors to fill out their forms online using the ECINet app or through the online form on the voter's service portal.
The Election Commission has asked booth level officers to individually contact the remaining electors to assist them in turning in their EFs in time.
