Are People from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar on Bihar's Electoral Roll?
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Synopsis
The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls reveals that many names from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar are on the voter list. This has sparked controversy and allegations of political maneuvering, as the Election Commission prepares for the final electoral roll publication in September 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing revision of Bihar's electoral rolls highlights potential inaccuracies.
- Significant number of foreign names raises questions about electoral integrity.
- Completion of the SIR process is crucial for upcoming elections.
- Political implications and controversies are emerging from the findings.
- Importance of transparency and inclusivity in electoral processes.
New Delhi, July 13 (NationPress) As the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral roll progresses, it has been discovered that numerous individuals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar appear on the voter list.
According to sources within the Election Commission of India (ECI), Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have identified a significant number of these individuals during their house-to-house visits.
ECI sources indicated that their names 'will not be included in the final list set to be published on September 30, 2025, after a thorough investigation to be conducted post August 1, 2025.
Official confirmation from the ECI is still pending.
The Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is an initiative by the ECI aimed at revising and updating the state's voter list. This process involves a door-to-door verification approach to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
As of Saturday, approximately four out of every five voters in Bihar have submitted their enumeration forms (EF), resulting in an overall coverage of 80.11 percent, according to an ECI official.
“As of 6:00 p.m. today, the collection surpassed 6,32,59,497 or 80.11 percent. This indicates that four out of every five voters in Bihar have completed the EF submission. With this momentum, the majority of EFs are expected to be collected well before July 25, 2025,” stated an ECI official.
The ECI has reported achieving 100 percent printing and is nearing the completion of distributing EFs to voters identified at their addresses.
In a significant development, BLOs have successfully digitized and uploaded 4.66 crore enumeration forms into ECINet by 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. ECINet is the newly integrated software that consolidates all previous ECI applications.
During the second phase of SIR, BLOs are visiting households to assist voters in collecting their completed Enumeration Forms, as per the official statement.
Field-level personnel, including 38 DROs, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) overseeing all 243 Assembly Constituencies, and 963 AEROs, are consistently monitoring the progress of SIR.
Over 77,895 BLOs, in addition to 20,603 newly appointed BLOs and other election officials, are diligently working to ensure the timely completion of this exercise.
Additionally, more than four lakh volunteers are providing support to the elderly, disabled, sick, and vulnerable populations, alongside a proactive force of 1.56 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by recognized political parties, contributing to the collection of 80.11 percent of enumeration forms.
To have their names included in the draft electoral rolls scheduled for publication on August 1, voters must submit their EFs along with eligibility documents. If any voter requires more time to submit these documents, they may do so separately until August 30, the final date for filing claims and objections, and may seek assistance from volunteers.
The SIR survey has sparked significant political controversy in Bihar. The opposition INDIA bloc has expressed serious concerns regarding this initiative. Bloc leaders claim that SIR is not merely focused on cleansing the voter list but is a strategic move to eliminate voters and favor the ruling NDA.
Point of View
The situation surrounding the electoral roll revision in Bihar reflects broader concerns about electoral integrity and inclusivity. It is essential to ensure that the voter list accurately represents eligible citizens while addressing the political implications that arise from such revisions. The ECI's approach should prioritize transparency and trust in the electoral process.
NationPress
13/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an initiative by the Election Commission of India aimed at revising and updating the electoral rolls through a comprehensive door-to-door verification process.
Why are names from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar concerning?
The presence of names from these countries raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the potential inclusion of ineligible voters in the Bihar voter list.
What is the deadline for submitting enumeration forms?
Voters must submit their enumeration forms by August 1 to be included in the draft electoral rolls, with the final date for claims and objections being August 30.
How many people have submitted their enumeration forms so far?
As of now, approximately 80.11 percent of electors in Bihar have submitted their enumeration forms as part of the ongoing SIR exercise.
What are the implications of the ongoing SIR survey?
The SIR survey has sparked political controversy, with opposition parties claiming it is a strategic move to exclude voters and benefit the ruling party.
