New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the commencement of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar. The initiative comes after over two decades since the last intensive revision in the state (conducted in 2003), and is a part of ECI’s concerted efforts to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and inclusiveness of electoral rolls in India’s third most populous state.
Purpose of the Special Intensive Revision
The revision aims to:
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Ensure inclusion of all eligible citizens in the Electoral Roll (ER),
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Remove ineligible or deceased voters, and
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Introduce transparency in the addition and deletion of voters through house-to-house verification.
The need for the SIR arises due to:
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Rapid urbanisation and migration trends,
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Rising numbers of young citizens eligible to vote,
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Unreported deaths, and
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Potential inclusion of illegal foreign immigrants.
Legal Framework and Guidelines
The process will be governed by:
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Article 326 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to vote to all citizens aged 18 and above unless disqualified under the law.
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Section 21, 23 and 24 of the Representation of People Act, 1950, which deals with revision of electoral rolls, verification of eligibility, and appeal mechanisms.
The qualifying date for this revision is fixed as 01.07.2025, and the Commission has invoked its powers under Article 324 to mandate the SIR in Bihar.
Execution Plan: Step-by-Step Process
1. House-to-House Verification
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Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door surveys using pre-filled Enumeration Forms (EF).
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EFs will contain information of existing electors and will be distributed to each household.
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Voters can also download EFs from ECINET (ECI’s portal).
2. Involvement of Political Parties
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All recognised national and state political parties will appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs).
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BLAs will assist and monitor the revision process, ensuring transparency at the grassroots level.
3. Filling & Submission of Forms
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BLOs will assist electors in filling out the EFs and guide them regarding necessary supporting documents.
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Voters may also submit EFs online, increasing accessibility.
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Special care will be taken to support PwDs, elderly, sick, and vulnerable citizens, with the help of volunteers.
4. Verification & Draft Roll Preparation
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BLO Supervisors will monitor BLO output—both qualitative and quantitative.
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Draft Electoral Rolls will be prepared and shared with political parties, and uploaded on ECI/CEO websites.
5. Claims, Objections & Appeals
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Any elector or political party may file claims for inclusion or raise objections against wrongful entries.
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Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) will conduct inquiries into any complaints.
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Final decisions will be made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
6. Final Electoral Roll Publication
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Post-inquiry and processing of claims, the Final Electoral Roll will be published.
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Parties and the public will get access to the updated list via ECI/CEO websites.
7. Appeals Mechanism
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Under Section 24, an appeal can be made to the District Magistrate.
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A second appeal can be filed with the Chief Electoral Officer if needed.
Focus on Inclusion and Dignity
The ECI has directed officials to ensure the non-harassment of genuine electors, particularly:
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Senior citizens
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Sick individuals
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PwDs (Persons with Disabilities)
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Economically vulnerable groups
By deploying trained volunteers, the Commission aims to facilitate participation without imposing any undue burden on citizens.
Conclusion
With Bihar’s last intensive revision taking place over 20 years ago, this Special Intensive Revision signifies a critical step in revitalising democratic processes. The Election Commission’s commitment to accuracy, citizen involvement, and legal compliance reaffirms its pledge to strengthen the voter ecosystem and ensure free and fair elections. The active participation of both citizens and political parties will be key to the success of this comprehensive electoral roll update.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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