ECI To Launch Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Rolls in Bihar, marking the first such exercise in over two decades. The last intensive revision in the state was carried out in 2003.

The move comes in response to several emerging challenges, including rapid urbanization, high migration rates, a growing population of first-time voters, non-reporting of deaths, and concerns regarding the inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants. The objective of this intensive revision is to ensure that the electoral rolls are accurate, inclusive of all eligible citizens, and free from the names of ineligible or non-existent voters.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will undertake house-to-house verification across the state as part of the revision drive. This grassroots-level survey aims to verify voter details and improve the accuracy of the rolls, in line with the Commission's commitment to transparency and accountability.

The ECI emphasized that the revision will be conducted strictly in accordance with constitutional and legal mandates, particularly Article 326 of the Constitution and Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which define eligibility and disqualification criteria for voter registration.

To enhance transparency, documents submitted for the satisfaction of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) under Section 23 of the Representation of People Act, 1950, will now be uploaded to the ECINET portal. However, access to these documents will be restricted to authorized election officials to safeguard citizens’ privacy. In instances where claims or objections arise, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) will carry out inquiries before the ERO reaches a decision. Appeals against such decisions may be filed with the District Magistrate or the Chief Electoral Officer, as permitted under Section 24 of the Act.

All electoral officers — including Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Electoral Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and BLOs — have been directed to ensure that genuine electors, particularly those from vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities (PwDs), the poor, and the infirm, are treated with sensitivity and are provided necessary assistance during the revision process. Deployment of volunteers may be utilized to support this initiative.

The ECI also appealed to political parties to actively participate in the exercise by nominating Booth Level Agents (BLAs) at every polling station. Their involvement is expected to facilitate early resolution of discrepancies and reduce the number of claims, objections, and appeals during the process.

Highlighting the collaborative nature of the electoral process, the Commission stated that the active participation of both voters and political parties is essential for the successful execution of an exercise of this magnitude.

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