Roll Call Revolution: Bihar’s Electoral Overhaul Aims for a Fairer Ballot

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a huge Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, which has generated enormous controversy and political resistance barely a few months before the state's pivotal assembly elections.

 

Why This Revision
 

First Big Overhaul in 22 Years
 

The previous such comprehensive overhaul in Bihar was in 2003. Since then, only yearly summary revisions have taken place. The ECI mentions "substantial changes" in the electorate, fueled by high urbanisation, high migration, and the necessity to eliminate duplicate, dead, or ineligible voters.

 

Protecting Only Citizens Vote:
 

The ECI holds that the revision is legally and constitutionally mandated to retain only genuine Indian citizens on the rolls, based on Article 326 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of People Act, 1950.

 

Handling Anomalies:
 

The move comes amid fears of mass additions and deletions since 2003, illegal immigrants and duplicate registrations having been said to be skewing the roll of voters.

 

How Is It Being Done?
 

Door-to-Door Verification:
 

More than 77,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are visiting door-to-door, distributing and collecting new enumeration forms from almost 8 crore voters. Submission is also possible online.

 

Document Proof Required

 

For the first time, even registered voters (registered after 2003) are required to present documentary evidence of citizenship, risking the shadow of disenfranchisement, particularly among the poor and marginalized.

 

Supreme Court Monitoring:

 

The Supreme Court has allowed the process to continue but asked the ECI to accept voter ID, Aadhaar, and ration cards as identification, the hearing to resume on July 28.

 

Earlier Versions

 

2003: The last substantial update in Bihar, with the current exercise using the 2003 roll as a starting point.

 

2024-25: Special Summary Revision was carried out in January 2025, but was found deficient by the ECI, and hence the current SIR.

 

Key Points

 

First major Bihar update since 2003.

 

All citizens have to fill out new forms; 2003 enrollees require documentary evidence. Over 66% coverage in the first two weeks. Political pressure and judicial scrutiny continue. July 28 follow-up Supreme Court hearing. 

 

Source: The Indian Express, The Reporters' Collective, Supreme Court Observer, India Today.