Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has brought to light a significant concern: approximately 11,000 "not traceables" electors who could potentially be illegal immigrants. This revelation has sparked debate and raised questions about the integrity of the voter list in the state.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated the SIR to update and "cleanse" the electoral rolls, addressing issues such as the inclusion of illegal immigrants, underreported deaths, and the frequent migration of citizens. As part of this exercise, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducted house-to-house visits to verify the details of registered voters. During these visits, a substantial number of voters were found to be "not traceables".

According to reports, out of the 41.64 lakh electors that were not found at their registered addresses, 11,000 voters remain untraceable. The remaining include 14.29 lakh deceased, 19.74 lakh who have permanently shifted and 7.50 lakh electors identified as enrolled at multiple places. The ECI has stated that a thorough verification will be carried out to exclude ineligible names from the final voter list, which is expected to be published on September 30.

The discovery of these "not traceables" electors has fueled concerns about the possible inclusion of illegal immigrants in the voter list. The ECI had previously stated that the SIR was necessary due to the inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants in the current list and that several political parties had raised the issue of foreigners in the voter list. During the special intensive revision process, Booth-Level Officers also identified foreign nationals, including individuals from Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, whose names were in the rolls. The EC said the names would be removed after document verification by Electoral Registration Officers. Those affected have the right to appeal first to the district collector and then to the chief electoral officer, by submitting valid proof of citizenship and eligibility.

The SIR exercise has not been without controversy. Opposition parties have alleged that the revision is being conducted in a rushed manner to benefit the ruling alliance in Bihar by deleting voters perceived to be against them. Concerns have also been raised about the large number of voters at risk of exclusion from the final list. With just days remaining to submit enumeration forms for the SIR, over 41 lakh voters risk being excluded from the final list.

Despite the concerns, the ECI maintains that the SIR is progressing well and ahead of schedule. The commission reports that 95.92% electors covered in draft SIR revision. To enroll the remaining electors, special camps have been set up in all the wards of all Urban Local Bodies in Bihar. The draft electoral roll will be published on August 1, 2025, and any rectification can be filed by August 30, 2025.