Bihar SIR Update: 95% Voters Covered So Far, Says Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Friday that it has covered 94.68 per cent of voters in Bihar in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Seven days remain to complete the enumeration phase of the Bihar voter roll revision.

The draft electoral roll will be published on 1 August. Political parties and citizens will then get a full month to seek corrections or additions. The ECI issued the update in a press statement.

Bihar has 7.89 crore voters. Officials have received more than 7.11 crore enumeration forms. They have already digitised 6.85 crore forms.

However, nearly 41 lakh forms remain pending. Field teams also did not find about 36.8 lakh voters at their registered addresses.

These names include more than 12.7 lakh individuals believed to be deceased. Another 18.1 lakh may have permanently shifted. About 5.9 lakh appear enrolled in multiple locations.

To improve transparency, the ECI has shared these voter lists with district presidents of political parties. It has also circulated them among more than 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) nominated by the parties.

Each BLA may submit up to 50 certified forms per day until 25 July. The collaborative effort aims to prevent the exclusion of any eligible voter during the Bihar voter roll revision.

Authorities will publish the final electoral roll on 30 September. Officials will dispose of claims and objections by 25 September. Recognised parties will receive printed and digital copies. The ECI will also host the roll on its website.

Any aggrieved voter may appeal to the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The revision comes ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, expected later this year. The ECI’s proactive measures seek to protect electoral integrity in a politically sensitive state where rolls have often drawn dispute.

Political observers say the structured role of BLAs could reduce bias claims and build public trust. With the final roll due in September, preparations for a high-stakes contest are gathering pace.

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