Bihar Voter List: 51 Lakh Names Removed In Special Drive Ahead Of Elections

The Election Commission (EC) has revealed that over 51 lakh names have been removed from Bihar's electoral rolls as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. According to the poll body, the deletions include 18 lakh deceased voters, 26 lakh who have shifted constituencies, and 7 lakh individuals found to be registered in more than one location.

The EC clarified that this revision is in accordance with its constitutional duty ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. It assured that all eligible voters will be included in the updated draft electoral roll, which will be released on August 1.

The findings were shared in a note titled "Facts revealed from Bihar SIR so far", published by the Commission on Tuesday. The exercise, currently under judicial scrutiny, is being defended by the EC as both lawful and necessary, referring to its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution.

Opposition Criticism Over Voter Exclusion

Opposition parties have raised concerns over potential large-scale exclusions of voters in Bihar, resulting in a political and legal standoff. In response, the Election Commission reiterated that the process is transparent and inclusive, with sufficient time provided for corrections and additions to the voter list.

Correction Window from August 1 to September 1

As per the EC's order dated 24 June 2025, the public will have from August 1 to September 1 to raise objections or request corrections to the Draft Electoral Roll. The EC confirmed that anyone who submitted an enumeration form, even without supporting documents, will find their names included in the August 1 draft. Those who haven't yet submitted their forms will still be able to apply for inclusion in the final list by submitting the appropriate claim form and declaration.

The final electoral roll is set to be published on September 30, and new voters can continue registering until the last date for nomination filing.

Scale of the SIR Operation in Bihar

Highlighting the scale and seriousness of the revision, the EC stated that the process involves close collaboration among key stakeholders, including around 1 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 4 lakh volunteers, and 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) representing 12 major political parties across Bihar.

The Commission emphasized that these teams are actively locating voters who have not submitted their enumeration forms or who could not be found at their registered addresses.

In court, the EC defended the ongoing SIR as part of its constitutional mandate and asserted that the entire operation is being conducted systematically and within legal boundaries.