Bihar Election Roll Dispute

Patna, August 10, 2025 — In a significant development concerning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured the Supreme Court that no eligible voter will be removed from the draft electoral rolls without prior notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a reasoned order. This assurance was provided in an affidavit filed in response to concerns raised by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) regarding the deletion of approximately 65 lakh voters from the draft list published on August 1.

Key Assurances by the Election Commission

The ECI outlined a comprehensive 10-point verification and inclusion mechanism to ensure transparency and fairness in the SIR process:

1. Booth-Level Visits: Over 77,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conducted house-to-house visits to collect enumeration forms from existing electors.
2. Political Party Participation: Lists of electors whose forms had not been received were shared with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of recognized political parties on July 20, 2025, allowing for corrective actions before the publication of the draft roll.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns: The Commission launched SMS campaigns, repeated BLO visits, and urban camps in all 261 urban local bodies to reach temporary migrants and other hard-to-reach populations.
4. Assistance for Vulnerable Groups: Special arrangements were made to assist senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable voters in obtaining necessary documents.
5. Transparency Measures: Printed and digital copies of the draft rolls have been provided to political parties, with online access for the public during the claims and objections period from August 1 to September 1.
6. Appeal Mechanism: A two-tier appeal mechanism under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, has been established to ensure that every elector has adequate recourse against any adverse action.

Response to Allegations of Mass Deletions

The ADR had raised concerns that the ECI had not disclosed the reasons for the deletion of 65 lakh voters and had not provided the actual list of deleted names. In its affidavit, the ECI clarified that the reasons for deletion would be provided in subsequent stages of the process and that the draft roll is subject to further scrutiny and revision. The Commission emphasized that the current draft roll is not final and that the process includes provisions for claims and objections from the public and political parties.

Supreme Court’s Oversight

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for August 12, 2025. The Court has directed the ECI to furnish detailed information regarding the 65 lakh deletions, including the reasons for each exclusion, and to provide this information to the ADR. The Court has also emphasized the importance of transparency and due process in the revision of electoral rolls.

Political Reactions

Opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, have expressed concerns that the SIR process may disenfranchise a significant number of voters, particularly marginalized communities and migrant workers. They have called for greater transparency and the inclusion of commonly accepted identity documents, such as Aadhaar and voter ID cards, in the verification process.

The Election Commission has maintained that the SIR process is lawful and constitutional, aimed at ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls. The Commission has also stated that it is committed to addressing any concerns raised by the public and political parties to ensure a fair and inclusive electoral process.

As the state approaches the 2025 Assembly elections, the SIR process remains a focal point of political debate and legal scrutiny, with all eyes on the Supreme Court’s forthcoming hearing and the Election Commission’s continued efforts to uphold electoral integrity.