65 Lakh Vanish: Bihar’s Electoral Clean-Up or Political Cover-Up

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ignited a political firestorm in Bihar with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Drive, which has led to the removal of over 65 lakh voters from the draft electoral rolls. As the state gears up for assembly elections later this year, the move has triggered sharp reactions, especially from the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc, which alleges that the exercise is politically motivated and aimed at disenfranchising legitimate voters.

Breakdown of the Voter Deletion  

According to the ECI, the SIR Drive was launched to clean up the electoral rolls and ensure accuracy. The deletions were based on extensive field verification and data digitisation.

- 22 lakh voters were found to be deceased  
- 36 lakh had permanently migrated or were untraceable  
- 7 lakh were duplicate entries registered in more than one location  

The draft rolls now reflect 7.24 crore voters out of the original 7.89 crore registered as of June 24, 2025. The EC clarified that the deletions are not final and that the claims and objections phase will run until September 1, allowing voters and parties to contest any inaccuracies.

Political Reactions and Allegations  

The I.N.D.I.A bloc, comprising parties like RJD and Congress, has strongly opposed the timing and scale of the SIR Drive. Their concerns include:

- Allegations that the EC is targeting voters from marginalized communities and migrant workers  
- Demands for district-wise and assembly segment-wise breakdowns of deletions  
- Accusations that the exercise resembles a covert NRC-like operation  

Congress has challenged the EC to disclose how many foreign nationals were previously registered and whether they were removed. RJD submitted a memorandum demanding digital access to voter data for verification.

On the other hand, the BJP-led NDA has welcomed the move, claiming that illegal immigrants, particularly Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in border regions, had infiltrated the voter rolls. They argue that the deletions are necessary to protect electoral integrity.

Public Sentiment and Survey Insights  

A recent State Vibe Survey conducted in Bihar revealed mixed public opinion:

- 34.5 percent believe the SIR Drive is aimed at removing illegal voters  
- 14.8 percent view it as a manipulation tactic  
- 15.8 percent see it as a routine update  
- 27.3 percent feel the timing is inappropriate  

Unemployment emerged as the top concern for voters, followed by law and order, price rise, and corruption.

Operational Details and Oversight  

The EC has involved all 12 recognized political parties in the process, sharing lists of deleted voters and inviting scrutiny. Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been nominated across parties to assist in verification:

- BJP: 53,338 BLAs  
- RJD: 47,506 BLAs  
- JD(U): 36,550 BLAs  
- Congress: 17,549 BLAs  

The EC also reported that 99.8 percent of enumeration forms have been received and digitised. Voters whose names are missing can still be added through prescribed forms during the ongoing revision phase.

Looking Ahead  

With the Supreme Court set to hear petitions challenging the SIR Drive, the controversy is far from over. The EC maintains that the exercise is constitutional and necessary, citing Article 326 which mandates that only Indian citizens can vote.

As Bihar inches closer to elections, the battle over voter legitimacy is likely to intensify, with both sides framing the narrative around transparency, inclusion, and political intent.

Sources  Times Now, Moneycontrol, Indian Express, Deccan Herald, New Indian Express, India TV News