As the draft electoral roll publication date of August 1, 2025 approaches, Bihar has made significant strides in its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported that 94.7% of the state's approximately 7.9 crore electors have been covered in the enumeration process. This comprehensive exercise aims to update voter data and ensure the integrity of the electoral roll ahead of the upcoming elections.

Progress and Key Findings

As of July 18, 2025, 94.68% of existing electors have submitted their Enumeration Forms (EFs) for inclusion in the draft electoral roll. This leaves only 5.2% of electors remaining to complete the process. Out of Bihar's 7,89,69,844 electors (as of June 24, 2025), 7,11,72,660 have submitted enumeration forms, with 6,85,34,743 of these forms already digitized.

However, the ECI has also identified certain discrepancies. Approximately 4.67% of electors (36,86,971 individuals) were not found at their registered addresses. This includes 1.61% (12,71,414) who are likely deceased, 2.3% (18,16,306) who have probably permanently shifted, 0.75% (5,92,273) who are enrolled at multiple places, and 0.01% (6,978) whose whereabouts are untraceable.

Efforts to Ensure Inclusivity

The ECI is undertaking extensive efforts to ensure that no eligible elector is left out of the process. This includes sharing lists of electors who are possibly deceased, permanently shifted, enrolled at multiple places, or have not returned their EFs with district presidents of political parties and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to verify their status before July 25, 2025. The ECI has also encouraged electors who have temporarily migrated out of the state to fill out their EFs online through the ECINet app or the ECI website. They can also download pre-filled forms and share them with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) directly or through family members.

To support this effort, the ECI has engaged a large field force, including 77,895 existing BLOs and 20,603 newly appointed BLOs. These officers are rigorously monitored by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) across all 243 Assembly Constituencies, with support from District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Assistant EROs (AEROs). Additionally, 1.5 lakh BLAs appointed by political parties and over 4 lakh volunteers are assisting in the outreach, focusing on including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other vulnerable groups.

Next Steps and Timeline

The draft electoral roll will be published on August 1, 2025. Following the publication, a one-month period will be available for political parties and the public to suggest corrections or propose the inclusion of any left-out names. Printed and digital copies of the draft roll will be provided free of charge to recognized political parties and posted on the ECI website. Claims and objections will be addressed until September 25, 2025, and the final electoral roll will be published on September 30, 2025.

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite the ECI's efforts, the SIR has faced criticism and legal challenges. Concerns have been raised about the timing of the revision, the demand for extensive documentation, and the potential for disproportionately affecting marginalized voters. Some critics argue that the revision is politically motivated and could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters. The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions challenging the SIR.