More than 65 lakh names are likely to be struck off the draft electoral rolls in Bihar following the conclusion of a month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The move has sparked fierce protests from opposition parties, who allege the exercise could disenfranchise millions, particularly migrant workers, flood-affected residents, and underprivileged voters.
Massive Data Clean-Up Ahead of Polls
The ECI stated that forms of 7.23 crore voters have been digitized and will be included in the draft rolls, while the remaining data will be processed by August 1. Booth-level officers (BLOs) reported that around 22 lakh voters had died, 7 lakh were registered in multiple locations, and 35 lakh had permanently migrated or were untraceable. Additionally, 1.2 lakh enumeration forms are still pending.
Before the revision, Bihar had nearly 7.9 crore voters on its electoral list. The ECI clarified that only those not listed in the 2003 electoral rolls—approximately 2.9 crore voters—were required to submit documentary proof of citizenship. However, the exclusion of widely-used documents like Aadhaar, ration cards, and voter ID cards has raised concerns.
Opposition Alleges “Vote Suppression,” Threatens Boycott
The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) staged protests outside Parliament, tearing SIR documents and accusing the ECI of aiding the BJP in a “vote suppression” strategy. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the move, stating, “The Election Commission is colluding with the BJP-RSS to strip marginalized communities of their voting rights.”
Even BJP ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) opposed the citizenship verification process, while Janata Dal (United) MP Girdhari Yadav faced disciplinary action for criticizing the drive.
Legal Challenges and Public Distrust
Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court, urging the ECI to accept Aadhaar and voter IDs as valid proof. The poll panel, however, defended its stance, arguing that these documents do not conclusively prove citizenship. Transparency activist Anjali Bhardwaj questioned the lack of public disclosure regarding the “independent appraisal” that justified the SIR.
Despite assurances that deleted names do not mean loss of citizenship, concerns persist over the discretionary powers of electoral officers. Reports have emerged of BLOs demanding bribes or refusing to accept documents, further fueling public distrust.
Next Steps: Claims and Objections Window Opens Soon
The ECI has allowed a one-month window (August 1 to September 1) for voters and political parties to file claims for inclusion or objections against exclusions. Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer has also extended the deadline for document submission beyond July 25.
With the Bihar Assembly polls expected in October-November, the electoral roll revision remains a contentious issue, potentially shaping the political landscape in one of India’s most crucial electoral battlegrounds.