The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revealed significant discrepancies in Bihar's electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. With 99.8% voter coverage achieved, the revision has identified approximately 22 lakh deceased voters and 7 lakh duplicate voters.
The SIR, the first of its kind in 22 years, aims to create a "pure and accurate" voter list by removing ineligible, duplicate, or non-existent entries while ensuring all eligible citizens are included. The move comes amid legal scrutiny, with the Supreme Court and opposition parties questioning the legality and necessity of the exercise.
Key Findings of the SIR:
Controversy and Concerns:
The SIR has faced criticism from opposition parties, who allege that the exercise is a conspiracy to reduce their voter base. Concerns have been raised about the timing of the revision, given its proximity to the Assembly election, which is expected to be held in October-November 2025. Opposition parties argue that the SIR will disenfranchise eligible voters, particularly from marginalized sections of society, who may struggle to provide the documents needed for reverification.
Notably, some commonly used identification documents, such as Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, are not mandatory for inclusion, but are being used in a limited way for identity verification during the SIR. The Supreme Court has also weighed in, urging the ECI to consider Aadhaar cards, voter identification documents, and ration cards in the SIR process.
ECI's Defense:
The ECI has defended the SIR, stating that it is statutorily bound to ensure that only Indian citizens are registered as voters. The poll body has clarified that documents are being used for identity verification and that the exercise aims to remove ineligible voters from the electoral roll. The ECI has also shared lists of voters with political parties and involved them in the process of locating electors.
Impact and Implications:
The removal of a significant number of voters from the electoral rolls could have a substantial impact on the upcoming Bihar elections. With 56 lakh names potentially being removed, an average of 23,045 voters per constituency could be affected. This has raised concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.
The ECI has digitized over 7.23 crore forms during the SIR, with the goal of publishing the updated electoral rolls by August 1, 2025. A full month, from August 1 to September 1, 2025, will be available for the public to file objections or request additions or corrections to the draft electoral rolls.
Prior Revisions and Anomalies:
Some reports suggest that the current SIR contradicts findings from a comprehensive electoral roll clean-up conducted in January 2025. The January revision already accounted for migration, identifying and processing 1.91 lakh shifted voters. The ECI's current claim of finding 26.01 lakh permanently shifted electors just months later raises questions about the accuracy and consistency of the revision process.
