New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced today the commencement of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in Bihar, aiming to ensure that all eligible citizens are enrolled to exercise their voting rights while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
This initiative, guided by Article 326 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, marks the first intensive revision in the state since 2003, prompted by factors such as rapid urbanization, migration, young voters attaining eligibility, unreported deaths, and the need to exclude ineligible entries, including those of foreign illegal immigrants.
The revision process, set to begin with July 1, 2025, as the qualifying date, is designed, ECI claimed, to create an error-free electoral roll through a transparent and inclusive approach. The ECI has directed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct house-to-house surveys to verify voter details, ensuring compliance with constitutional and legal provisions that mandate eligibility criteria, such as Indian citizenship and a minimum age of 18 years, while adhering to disqualifications outlined in the law.
To enhance transparency, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will upload supporting documents to the Election Commission of India Network (ECINET), accessible only to authorised election officials, to safeguard privacy. Electors and political parties can raise claims or objections, which Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) will investigate before final decisions by EROs. Appeals against ERO decisions can be filed with the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
To streamline the process, EROs will provide pre-filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) to BLOs for distribution during house-to-house visits. Electors can also download these forms from the ECI website or ECINET and submit them with the required documents physically or online. BLO Supervisors will monitor the quality and quantity of BLOs’ work to ensure accuracy. The ECI emphasises facilitating vulnerable groups, including the elderly, sick, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and economically disadvantaged, by deploying volunteers to assist them. A draft Electoral Roll will be prepared based on collected forms, shared with recognised national and state political parties, and published on the ECI and Chief Electoral Officer’s websites. Following the resolution of claims and objections, the final Electoral Roll will be published and similarly shared.
The ECI is actively encouraging political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to participate in the revision process, ensuring discrepancies are addressed early to minimise claims, objections, and appeals. This collaborative approach underscores the critical role of electors and political parties as stakeholders in achieving a smooth and successful revision. The Commission is committed to minimising inconvenience to electors while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and transparency.
– global bihari bureau
