Is the Election Commission Covering 95% of Electors in Bihar Under SIR?

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Is the Election Commission Covering 95% of Electors in Bihar Under SIR?

Synopsis

As the Election Commission of India nears the completion of its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, over 94% of voters have been registered. This initiative aims to ensure every eligible voter is accounted for before the upcoming elections.

Key Takeaways

  • 94.68% of voters in Bihar covered under SIR
  • Deadline for submitting corrections: August 31
  • Final electoral roll publication on September 30
  • Aggrieved voters can appeal to local authorities
  • Collaboration with party agents aims to enhance trust

New Delhi, July 18 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday that 94.68 percent of the electorate in Bihar has been effectively included in the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, with only seven days left for the enumeration phase to conclude.

The draft electoral roll is set to be released on August 1, allowing political parties and citizens a full month to propose corrections or additions, as stated in a press release.

Out of the total 7.89 crore voters in Bihar, over 7.11 crore enumeration forms have been collected, and 6.85 crore have already been digitized.

However, approximately 41 lakh forms remain pending, with around 36.8 lakh voters unable to be located at their registered addresses.

This includes over 12.7 lakh individuals presumed deceased, 18.1 lakh who may have moved permanently, and 5.9 lakh who are registered at multiple locations.

To enhance transparency and accuracy, the ECI has distributed lists of these voters to district presidents of political parties and over 1.5 lakh booth level agents (BLAs) assigned by them.

Each BLA can submit up to 50 certified forms daily until July 25.

This collaborative effort aims to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded.

The finalized electoral roll will be published on September 30, after the resolution of claims and objections by September 25.

Both printed and digital copies will be available to recognized political parties and on the ECI website.

Aggrieved voters can appeal to the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

This revision is particularly significant as the Bihar Assembly elections are anticipated later this year.

The ECI's proactive steps demonstrate its commitment to preserving the integrity of the electoral process in a politically charged state like Bihar, where voter rolls have often been contentious.

Political analysts suggest that the involvement of party-appointed BLAs in the verification process may alleviate allegations of bias and foster public confidence.

With the final roll due in September, preparations for a critical electoral battle are unfolding.

Point of View

The Election Commission's proactive approach in Bihar reflects an essential commitment to electoral integrity. With the involvement of political party agents in verifying voter registrations, there is potential for increased trust in the electoral process, a necessity in a region historically fraught with disputes over voter lists.
NationPress
19/07/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of voters in Bihar has been covered under the SIR?
As of now, 94.68 percent of voters in Bihar have been successfully included in the Special Intensive Revision.
What is the deadline for submitting corrections to the electoral rolls?
Corrections or additions to the electoral rolls can be submitted until August 31, following the publication of the draft on August 1.
When will the final electoral roll be published?
The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on September 30.
How can aggrieved voters appeal against their exclusion?
Aggrieved voters can appeal to the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
What is the significance of this revision exercise?
This revision is crucial as it lays the groundwork for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, ensuring electoral integrity.