Central Election Commission Eases Voter Registration Process in Bihar
The Central Election Commission has announced new guidelines for voter registration in Bihar, allowing individuals to submit forms without complete documentation. This decision aims to simplify the process amidst ongoing disputes regarding the voter list. Notably, those already registered before January 1, 2003, are exempt from submitting additional documents. The Commission is also conducting a thorough review of the voter list, which has faced criticism from opposition parties. The deadline for form submissions is set for July 26, with the final voter list to be published by September 30. Read on for more details about these significant changes.
| Jul 6, 2025, 16:43 IST
New Guidelines for Voter Registration in Bihar
In light of ongoing disputes regarding the voter list in Bihar, the Central Election Commission has provided significant relief to the public. The Commission has announced through prominent advertisements in state newspapers that individuals can now submit forms without the complete set of required documents and photographs. These forms must be submitted to the Booth Level Officer (BLO).
What Documents Are Required?
The Election Commission clarified that possessing the necessary documents will expedite the processing of your application. However, if you lack these documents, there is no need for concern. In such cases, election officials may make decisions based on local verification or other evidence. Additionally, a major relief is that individuals already included in the voter list as of January 1, 2003, are not required to submit any documents with their forms.
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Background of the Issue
In fact, the Election Commission is conducting a thorough review of the voter list in Bihar. As part of this process, approximately 29.3 million voters born after 1987 are required to present documents confirming their date and place of birth, as well as those of their parents. This decision faced severe criticism from several opposition parties, who deemed it excessively challenging.
Initially, the Commission mandated that individuals not listed in the 2003 voter list provide one of 11 specific documents. These included birth certificates, caste certificates, forest rights certificates, and pension payment orders for government employees. Notably, the Aadhaar card was not included in this list. According to the Commission's latest advertisement, the deadline for submitting forms is July 26, and the final voter list will be published on September 30.