Bihar election: SIR to continue as planned, says election commissioner; no eligible voter to be left out

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the Opposition’s refrain that the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll stands to disenfranchise “tens of lakhs” of electors, the Election Commission remains steadfast in proceeding with SIR strictly as per the Constitution and the laws governing voter enrolment.

Confirming this, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told TOI: “The implementation of SIR in Bihar is running as per schedule with the active participation of all election staff and all political parties in the most transparent manner. Despite apprehensions of some persons, SIR will ensure that all eligible persons are included.”

Stating that SIR, being undertaken in Bihar after 22 years, was necessary as per duty cast on EC by Article 326 of the Constitution of India and Section 19 and 21 of Representation of the People Act, 1950, Kumar said: “There is nothing more transparent in a democracy than the law”.

While Article 326 of the Constitution mandates that only Indian citizens not less than 18 years, unless disqualified under any other law, will be registered as electors, Section 19 of R P Act, 1950 states that a person must be ordinarily resident in the constituency where he is enrolled. Section 21 of the R P Act provides for revision of electoral roll before each assembly/Lok Sabha poll/bypoll.



During their meeting with 11 Opposition parties on Wednesday, EC assured them that SIR exercise in Bihar is being conducted in a planned, structured and phased manner to facilitate the inclusion of all eligible citizens. “Active participation of over 1.5 lakh booth level agents (BLAs) appointed by the recognised parties across Bihar is also ensuring that (SIR) process is happening in a transparent manner,” EC said in a statement on Thursday.

Sources told TOI that between June 23 and July 2, the number of BLAs has risen to over 1.5 lakh from around 1.4 lakh, with the Congress doubling its BLAs in the field.

“EC urges all eligible citizens in Bihar to participate actively in this special drive to ensure that no voter is left out,” the poll panel said and also appealed to parties to appoint more BLAs.

While assuring parties that not a single person who fulfils the conditions for enrolment, will be left out, an EC official explained that ineligible voters, including illegal immigrants and those not ordinary residents in that constituency, will need to be dropped. “However, no Bihar migrant will be disenfranchised; just that he will be enrolled in the constituency or state where he is ordinarily resident, that is, where he has been living for a reasonable period of time on grounds of marriage, work etc,” explained the official.

Another senior EC functionary said certain parties have been faulting the roll revision process, after losing past elections. SIR in Bihar and eventually, rest of India, is meant to rule out any scope for complaints later. The 1.5 lakh BLAs appointed by parties can work with the booth level officers (BLOs) to ensure SIR process is transparent, submit the enumeration forms in bulk, and file claims and objections. If still aggrieved with the final roll, the parties can file appeals at two levels, first with the district magistrate and eventually with the chief electoral officer,” said another EC functionary.

For the better understanding of the parties, EC on Thursday decided the entire SIR process, listing each of the 5 phases before the roll is finalised. These are:

Phase 1: June 25 to July 3: Distribution of enumeration forms distributed to each of Bihar’s 7.9 crore electors.

Phase 2: Filled up enumeration forms to be returned to BLO by July 25. Those in 2003 Bihar rolls or their children need not submit any additional document. Those born before July 1, 1987 must provide any 1 of the listed 11 documents to prove citizenship; those born between July 1, 1987 and Dec 2, 2004, must submit documents for themselves and one parent. Those born after Dec 2, 2004, must provide documents for themselves and both parents.

Phase 3: June 25 - July 26: Filled up enumeration norms with self-attested documents to be uploaded on ECINET on daily basis by BLOs or electors

Phase 4: Draft electoral roll with those who returned enumeration forms with documents by July 26, to be published on August 1, 2025. Electors who miss out can apply during claims and objections period and right up to the last day of nomination in Bihar poll.

Phase 5: Claims and objections to draft roll can be filed between August 1 and Sept 1.These will be scrutinised and settled by election registration officers (EROs) or Assistant EROs.

Final electoral roll to be published on Sept 30. If still not satisfied, parties can file two-stage appeals, first with the district magistrate and finally with the chief electoral officer (CEO), said EC.