Photo source: Election Commission of India
Final Roll Lists 7.42 Crore Electors
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) claims to have “successfully” concluded the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, publishing the final list today, which reportedly includes approximately 7.42 crore electors. According to the Commission, the exercise removed about 65 lakh ineligible voters and added over 21 lakh eligible electors. Draft and final rolls were shared with political parties, and citizens can verify their entries online at https://voters.eci.gov.in. Those dissatisfied with any entry may file a first appeal with the District Magistrate and a second appeal with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Bihar, under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The SIR, conducted between June 24 and September 30, 2025, involved extensive coordination across the state: the CEO Bihar, District Election Officers in all 38 districts, 243 Electoral Registration Officers, 2,976 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, around 1 lakh Booth Level Officers, and over 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents from political parties. Media coverage across print, electronic, and digital platforms played a pivotal role in spreading awareness, highlighting issues, and providing real-time feedback. Regular consultations with political parties ensured that booth-level lists of electors reported as deceased, migrated, or untraceable were verified, with draft lists shared as early as 20 July 2025. The SIR was conducted following Article 326 of the Constitution, upholding the ECI’s principle of “no eligible voter left out, and no ineligible person included.”
Despite the Commission’s assurances, the SIR has stirred controversy. Opposition parties, particularly those aligned with the INDIA bloc, have questioned the integrity of the deletion process, claiming that some eligible voters may have been unfairly removed, potentially affecting electoral outcomes in sensitive constituencies. They have suggested that deletions could disproportionately impact specific regions or communities, prompting calls for independent audits and heightened scrutiny. Social media debates and local media reports have amplified concerns, reflecting public unease about the accuracy and impartiality of the process.
The ECI has defended the exercise, emphasising adherence to Constitutional and legal provisions, transparency, and the opportunity for eligible voters to secure inclusion up to ten days before the last date for filing nominations in forthcoming elections. Officials argue that the SIR strengthens the electoral process, ensuring that the voter list is both comprehensive and accurate, a prerequisite for credible elections in India’s third-largest state by population.
Beyond the administrative mechanics, the SIR outcome carries significant political and social implications. The reduction of 65 lakh names from the electoral roll and addition of 21 lakh new electors alter the voter composition across districts, potentially influencing party strategies and campaign dynamics ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. The scale of the operation—engaging hundreds of thousands of officials and volunteers, extensive public consultation, and digital roll verification—reflects the ECI’s commitment to large-scale electoral administration. Yet, the political opposition and civil society actors insist on independent verification and caution against assuming the process was free of errors or partisan influence.
While the final roll publication marks the official closure of the SIR in Bihar, debates over deletions, inclusions, and the overall methodology are likely to continue. Analysts note that such controversies are not unusual in large-scale electoral exercises, particularly in politically sensitive regions, and may shape voter perceptions and trust in the electoral process. The ECI’s challenge will be to balance administrative efficiency with transparency and public confidence, ensuring that Bihar’s electoral rolls remain a credible foundation for free and fair elections in the coming months.
– global bihari bureau
