Amid mounting allegations from opposition parties that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls will strip crores of eligible citizens of their right to vote, the Election Commission on Sunday issued a strong rebuttal, clarifying that no names will be removed from the draft list without following proper procedure.
In a detailed statement, the EC reiterated that the draft electoral roll—scheduled for release on August 1—is not final. It emphasized that the month-long window from August 1 to September 1 is available for filing claims and objections, and genuine voters can still be added during this period.
“Why are they creating such a big fuss now?” the Commission asked, noting that political parties are free to verify the process through their 1.6 lakh booth-level agents who work alongside EC officers during the roll update. “Why give the impression that the draft list is final, when it’s clearly not?”
The Commission outlined 10 objectives of the SIR, stating that the exercise is inclusive and focused on participation from all electors, including youth, migrants, and urban voters. It added that the effort aims to ensure no eligible voter is left behind, with the active participation of all political parties and election staff, including volunteers.
According to the EC, enumeration forms from 7.24 crore voters—representing 91.69% of the 7.89 crore electorate as of June 24—have already been received. During the process, around 36 lakh individuals were found to have either permanently relocated or were not traceable, while 7 lakh voters had registered at multiple locations.
The EC said these irregularities surfaced because the individuals had either shifted to other states or UTs, failed to submit forms by July 25, or declined to register for unspecified reasons. Their final status will be determined by August 1, following scrutiny of the submitted forms.
However, the Commission emphasized that even voters flagged during this phase can still re-register during the upcoming claims and objections period. It assured that no eligible citizen will be disenfranchised unfairly and that duplicate enrollments will be corrected by retaining names at only one valid location.
Opposition parties have alleged that the revision process will lead to mass voter deletions, disproportionately affecting those against the current ruling alliance and ultimately benefiting the BJP. They also raised concerns about document requirements that may deter marginalized groups.
The EC, dismissing these accusations, encouraged political parties to actively participate in the revision process instead of making premature assumptions. It noted a 16% rise in booth-level agents during the SIR and said the widespread participation reflects strong voter engagement.
