Major Discrepancies Found in Bihar Voter List During Revision Process

The Election Commission of India has identified significant flaws in the Bihar voter list during the Special Intensive Revision process. With millions of deceased and duplicate registrations, the integrity of the electoral process is under scrutiny. The Commission defends the SIR as a necessary step to ensure transparency and eligibility in voting. As the Supreme Court weighs in, the implications for upcoming assembly elections are profound. This article delves into the details of the discrepancies and the Commission's response, raising critical questions about voter registration practices in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 23, 2025, 09:39 IST

Flaws Identified in Voter Registration

On Tuesday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) disclosed significant issues in the voter list amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. The Commission reported the presence of 1.8 million deceased voters, 2.6 million individuals who have relocated to different constituencies, and approximately 700,000 voters registered at multiple locations.

This revelation comes as the Supreme Court and opposition parties raise serious concerns about the SIR process. In defense, the Commission stated that the SIR aims to enhance the electoral system by removing ineligible voters.

In its affidavit, the Commission emphasized, 'The SIR process promotes electoral transparency by eliminating those who do not meet the voter eligibility criteria. Voting rights are contingent upon factors like citizenship, age, and residency as outlined in Article 326 of the Constitution and relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act. An ineligible individual cannot claim a violation of Articles 19 and 21 on these grounds.'

The Commission also noted that documents such as Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards are currently utilized for identity verification during the SIR process.

This response was prompted by a petition challenging the order issued on June 24, which initiated the SIR in Bihar, with potential plans for nationwide implementation.

Furthermore, the ECI clarified that providing an Aadhaar number in the nomination form is entirely voluntary, and the data is solely used for identity verification, as stipulated in Section 23(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

On July 10, the Supreme Court mandated that Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards be accepted as valid identity proofs during the ongoing SIR in Bihar, where assembly elections are set to occur later this year. The next hearing in this matter is scheduled for July 28.