Election Commission Assures No Voter Will Be Deleted Arbitrarily in Bihar’s Electoral Roll Revision

News Flash

28 July

As opposition raises alarm over disenfranchisement, EC clarifies draft list under Special Intensive Revision is subject to scrutiny, ensures all eligible voters will be included

Patna: Amid strong criticism from opposition parties in Bihar alleging that crores of eligible citizens may lose their right to vote under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has firmly denied any such possibility, asserting that no name will be deleted from the draft voter list without following due legal process.

SIR Aims for Inclusion, Not Exclusion

The Election Commission stated that the SIR campaign is designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, with the primary objective being to ensure that every eligible citizen is enfranchised, not excluded. The Commission has laid out ten objectives guiding the revision exercise.

“No name will be deleted from the draft electoral rolls arbitrarily. Due procedure will be strictly followed in every case,”
the EC clarified in its official statement, countering allegations of voter suppression.

Ten Objectives of SIR Campaign

According to the EC, the ten goals of the SIR are centered on participation and accuracy. The key objectives include:

• Participation of all voters and political parties

• Inclusion of every eligible voter in Bihar

• Ensuring no temporary migrants are left out

• Full inclusion of urban voters

• Special attention to young and first-time voters

• Active engagement of election volunteers and staff

• Eliminating duplicate or erroneous registrations

• Updating address changes

• Transparency during the scrutiny process

• Comprehensive resolution of discrepancies post-counting

“The mission is to achieve voter inclusivity and integrity, not voter elimination,”
said an official from the Election Commission involved in the SIR process.

Scrutiny Process to Begin August 1

The EC confirmed that the draft voter list will be published on August 1, followed by a one-month scrutiny period that will last until September 1. During this period, citizens will have the opportunity to raise objections, submit corrections, or apply for inclusion.

“This is not the final voter list. The month-long scrutiny phase is crucial to address all objections and errors,”
the Commission reiterated, encouraging public participation in the correction window.

Final List on September 30; Massive Data Processed

The Election Commission reported that at the end of the first phase of the SIR, it had received count forms from 7.24 crore voters, covering 91.69% of the state’s total electorate. Preliminary findings from the data show:

• 36 lakh individuals have either permanently shifted or are untraceable

• Around 7 lakh voters appear to be registered in multiple locations, indicating potential duplicates

These findings will be further verified during the scrutiny period to ensure that only valid corrections are carried forward to the final list, which is set to be published on September 30.

Opposition Raises Concerns of Disenfranchisement

Despite the Commission’s assurance, opposition leaders in Bihar have raised serious concerns that the SIR may be used as a political tool to disenfranchise voters, particularly in regions where migration and youth populations are high.

However, the EC maintains that the process is transparent, inclusive, and accountable, with checks and balances in place to prevent any manipulation or unjustified deletions.

“The opposition must not create panic. Every eligible voter will get the chance to be included. The system allows for public scrutiny and correction,”
An election official emphasised.