What’s Behind the Controversy of Bihar's Electoral Roll Revision? Insights from the Election Commission
Election Commission Clarifies Bihar's Special Intensive Revision Process
Patna: The Election Commission (EC) announced on Sunday that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is proceeding effectively at the local level, emphasizing that there have been no alterations to the existing guidelines.
On June 24, the EC mandated the SIR in Bihar to eliminate ineligible names and ensure that only qualified voters are included in the electoral rolls.
In its statement, the EC clarified that voters must submit their documentation by July 25, 2025, but those who miss this deadline will still have a chance to do so during the Claims & Objections period.
The Commission also cautioned the public against misleading statements from certain individuals who, without understanding the SIR order from June 24, 2025, are attempting to create confusion.
This clarification follows various social media claims, including one from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding an EC advertisement that suggested 'only forms need to be filled, and no documents are required.'
Kharge accused the SIR of being a 'conspiracy by BJP-RSS to undermine the voting rights of Dalits and marginalized groups,' asserting that the ruling party is ensnared in its own strategy.
Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar echoed Kharge's sentiments during a press conference, stating that the advertisement reveals the EC's incompetence and raises suspicions of unethical support for the ruling party.
With assembly elections approaching in Bihar, the EC's initiative, which aims to cover nearly eight crore voters by July 25, has sparked significant debate.
Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition leader in the state assembly, questioned why this revision is occurring solely in Bihar, unlike the nationwide revision in 2003.
Leaders from the INDIA bloc have also engaged with EC officials in New Delhi and Patna to express their concerns.
In contrast, the BJP-led NDA has defended the SIR, accusing the opposition of fabricating excuses in anticipation of an inevitable electoral defeat.
In light of the controversy surrounding the advertisement, the Chief Electoral Officer's office stated that the SIR in Bihar is advancing according to the EC's directive from June 24, 2025. The draft electoral rolls, set to be released on August 1, 2025, will include names of current voters whose enumeration forms are submitted.
The CEO further assured that all necessary measures are in place to assist existing voters in completing their documentation, allowing them to submit required documents even after their Enumeration Forms are filed.
Shortly after, 'EC sources' issued a more assertive statement via the poll panel's WhatsApp group, reiterating that the SIR in Bihar is being executed smoothly and strictly following the instructions from June 24, 2025.
The EC explained that this exercise is essential due to rapid urbanization, frequent migration, the emergence of new eligible voters, unreported deaths, and the inclusion of names of illegal immigrants.
The goal of this initiative is to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the electoral rolls.