Patna, July 15, 2025 – In a significant development ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported the removal of 35.6 lakh names from Bihar’s voter list as part of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. With 88% of Bihar’s voters verified so far, the ECI is now gearing up to extend this intensive voter list revision across India, raising both anticipation and controversy.

Massive Overhaul of Bihar’s Voter List

The ECI’s ongoing SIR, launched on June 24, 2025, aims to ensure the integrity of Bihar’s electoral roll by removing ineligible voters, including deceased, migrated, and duplicate entries. According to News18, the revision has identified:

• 12.55 lakh (1.59%) deceased voters.
• 17.37 lakh (2.2%) voters who have permanently moved out of Bihar.
• 5.76 lakh (0.73%) duplicate registrations.

As of July 14, 2025, 6.6 crore out of Bihar’s 7.89 crore electors (88.18%) have submitted their Enumeration Forms (EFs), with nearly 5% of entries flagged as invalid. The ECI has completed two rounds of door-to-door verification by nearly one lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), with a third round set to begin soon. The draft electoral roll will be published on August 1, 2025, allowing voters to file claims and objections using Form 6 until September 30, 2025.

ECI’s Nationwide Voter List Revision Plan

Following the Bihar exercise, the ECI has announced plans to roll out the SIR process across India to update voter lists and eliminate ineligible entries. The initiative, the first of its kind since 2003 in Bihar, addresses issues like rapid urbanization, migration, unreported deaths, and potential inclusion of foreign nationals. The ECI’s ECINet platform, a single integrated system replacing 40 earlier applications, has streamlined the process by enabling online form submissions and voter verification.

Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar emphasized, “The SIR ensures only eligible citizens are enrolled, maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll as mandated by Article 326 of the Constitution.” Special camps in 5,683 wards across 261 urban local bodies in Bihar are facilitating voter inclusion, with 1.5 lakh booth-level agents assisting in form certification.

Political Controversy Surrounding the Revision

The SIR has sparked intense political debate, with opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, alleging potential voter disenfranchisement. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav warned that the removal of 5% of voters could translate to over 3,200 exclusions per constituency, potentially impacting election outcomes. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi labeled the SIR a “backdoor NRC,” questioning the ECI’s authority to verify citizenship.

The Supreme Court, hearing petitions challenging the SIR, refused to stay the process but questioned its timing close to the Bihar elections. The court advised the ECI to consider including Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents for verification, a suggestion that has fueled further debate given Aadhaar’s exclusion from the 11 approved documents. The next hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2025.

BJP leaders have defended the SIR, asserting it ensures transparency by removing fake voters. “The revision prevents illegal voting and ensures only genuine citizens shape India’s future,” said BJP spokesperson Dilip Jaiswal. However, opposition leaders like Manoj Kumar Jha argue that the process disproportionately affects migrants, Dalits, and marginalized communities who may lack the required documentation.

Challenges and Ground Realities

The SIR has faced criticism for creating confusion among voters, particularly in rural areas. Reports from Purnea, Muzaffarpur, and Hajipur indicate that many voters, especially from Muslim and Bengali-origin communities, found their names missing despite voting in 2024. The requirement for post-2003 voters to submit proof of birth and residence, and in some cases parental documents, has been a hurdle for those lacking access to such records.

The ECI has responded by extending the deadline for form submissions to July 25, 2025, and allowing Electoral Registration Officers to process forms based on local investigations if documents are unavailable. Despite these measures, opposition leaders claim the process remains cumbersome, with only 14% of forms collected by July 5, 2025, highlighting logistical challenges.

What’s Next for Bihar and India?

With the draft voter list set for release on August 1, 2025, the ECI is under pressure to ensure no eligible voter is excluded. The nationwide rollout of the SIR will likely face similar scrutiny, with political parties closely monitoring its impact on voter demographics. The ECI’s commitment to transparency and fairness will be tested as it navigates legal challenges and public concerns.

For the latest updates on Bihar’s voter list revision, the ECI’s nationwide plans, and the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, stay tuned to Bharat Tone.

Keywords: Bihar Voter List Revision, Special Intensive Revision, ECI, 35.6 Lakh Names Removed, Bihar Elections 2025, Voter List Update, Aadhaar Exclusion, RJD, BJP, Electoral Roll Integrity