ECI Assures No Voter Deletion Without Notice in Bihar

Background of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

The Bihar draft electoral roll, published on August 1, 2025, is part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This process aims to update the voter list by identifying ineligible entries and including new eligible voters.

According to ECI, the process will strictly follow principles of natural justice. Any voter facing deletion will receive a prior notice stating the grounds for action.

Supreme Court Involvement

The assurance came during a hearing on an application filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The NGO sought individual details of approximately 65 lakh names deleted from the draft roll.

The ECI’s affidavit, however, did not directly address this demand. Instead, it focused on ensuring procedural safeguards for voters at risk of deletion.

Safeguards for Voters

• Prior written notice with reasons for proposed deletion.
• Opportunity to present documents and evidence.
• Reasoned orders issued by competent authorities.
• Two-tier appeal mechanism for affected voters.

These steps, according to the ECI, are designed to prevent wrongful exclusions and maintain the integrity of Bihar’s electoral roll.

Massive Mobilization for Voter Assistance

The commission has deployed 2.5 lakh volunteers, including Bihar government officials, to help voters obtain required documents. This initiative is crucial for ensuring vulnerable electors are not left out.

Even those without current documents will be assisted in obtaining them from relevant state departments before the final roll is published.

Transparency and Public Scrutiny

Booth-level lists have been shared with political parties. Printed and digital copies of the draft rolls are also available to the public until September 1, 2025.

Online facilities have been set up for easy access, enabling voters to check and correct their details.

On-Ground Efforts to Include Every Voter

The ECI has made repeated house visits through 77,895 Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Each major political party has appointed Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to submit up to 50 enumeration forms per day.

Special urban camps in 261 local bodies and Hindi advertisements in 246 newspapers have been launched to raise awareness. The aim is to ensure that no migrant worker or new young voter is left behind.

Why the SIR is Important

The SIR exercise is not just a routine update—it’s a crucial step to ensure free and fair elections. It helps in removing duplicates, deceased voters, or people who have moved, while also adding first-time voters who turned 18 by October 1, 2025.

The ECI is also focusing on special campaigns to encourage young citizens to register during the claims and objections period.

Fact-Based Insights

According to ECI data, Bihar has over 7 crore registered voters. The large-scale revision exercise involving over 1.6 lakh BLAs and lakhs of government officials reflects the scale of this democratic responsibility.

Past electoral roll revisions have shown that lack of documentation is the top reason for wrongful deletions. The current safeguards aim to eliminate this problem.

Looking Ahead

The Supreme Court has indicated it will intervene if the draft electoral roll reveals mass exclusion of voters. This ensures judicial oversight alongside administrative efforts.

With the combination of on-ground support, legal safeguards, and public awareness campaigns, the ECI aims to make Bihar’s final electoral roll both accurate and inclusive.