Back to the Rolls—EC Revives Bihar’s 2003 Voter List for Mega Clean-Up Drive

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to upload the 2003 Bihar electoral roll on its official website as part of a special intensive revision ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. This move will benefit nearly 4.96 crore voters, who were part of the 2003 revision, by exempting them from submitting additional documents during the verification process.

 

Who’s Exempt:

Voters listed in the 2003 special revision (about 60% of Bihar’s electorate) need only attach the relevant extract from the roll—no extra documents required.

 

Who Must Submit Proof:

The remaining 3 crore voters must provide one of 11 approved documents to establish their date or place of birth. Those whose parents were listed in 2003 need only submit their own birth details.

 

Where to Access:

The 2003 roll will be made available online and in hard copy via Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the EC portal.

 

Why It Matters:

With Bihar elections due later this year, the EC aims to ensure no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible name is included.

 

Verification Drive:

BLOs will conduct housetohouse verification, and a new declaration form has been introduced for applicants from outside the state or with unclear documentation.

 

This digital rollout of legacy data is part of the EC’s broader push for clean, inclusive, and tamperproof electoral rolls.

 

Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, Economic Times