The polling organization has promised that there would be time to amend the lists to include everyone who needs to be included, despite opposition worries that a significant portion of voters were left off, which resulted in a heated dispute and a legal battle.
52 lakh voters who have passed away or moved away have been removed from Bihar’s electoral record, the Election Commission announced today, promising that “all eligible electors are included in the draft electoral roll to be published on August 1”. According to the Commission, two days before the draft lists are anticipated, 18 lakh of the 52 lakh names that were eliminated are reportedly dead, 26 lakh voters have relocated to other seats, and 7 lakh are enrolled in two locations.
The polling organization has promised that there would be time to amend the lists to include everyone who needs to be included, despite opposition worries that a significant portion of voters were left off, which resulted in a heated dispute and a legal battle.
As per the SIR ruling dated 24.06.2025, from August 1 to September 1, 2025, a complete one-month would be open to any member of the public to raise objections for any additions, deletions and rectification in Draft Electoral Rolls,” the Commission said in a statement today.
Every voter who filled out the enumeration form, with or without supporting documentation, will be listed in the draft roll that will be released on August 1st, according to the Commission. Once a voter submits a claim in the required form together with the declaration, they can be included to the final rolls if they were unable to submit their enumeration forms.
It further stated that the final roll will be published on September 30 following the completion of the entire process. Additionally, the Commission has said that new voters may be enrolled up until the nomination deadline even after the publication.
The poll body said in a statement today that all of the election apparatus, including approximately 1 lakh BLOs, 4 lakh volunteers, and 1.5 lakh BLAs chosen by the district presidents of Bihar’s 12 major political parties, is collaborating to look for voters who have not yet turned in their Enumeration Forms (EFs) or who have not been located at their residences.
According to the poll board, it is its constitutional obligation to carry out the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, in advance of the Bihar assembly elections. Citing the authority granted by Article 324 of the Constitution, the Commission has contended before the court where the case is still pending that the entire procedure is being carried out in a consistent and jurisdictional manner.
