Bihar Voter Roll Drops to 7.24 Crore After SIR Revision
The Election Commission has released the draft electoral rolls for Bihar following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The total number of registered voters has fallen to 7.24 crore, down from 7.9 crore in the previous roll.
Over 65 Lakh Names Removed
A total of 65.6 lakh voter names have been deleted during the verification process. According to officials, the deletions were based on field verification identifying:
- Around 22 lakh deceased voters
- Nearly 26 lakh voters who had shifted residence
- About 7 lakh duplicate entries
- Close to 11,000 individuals who could not be traced
The updated numbers reflect one of the most extensive cleanup efforts in Bihar’s electoral history.
Verification Covered 98% of Voters
The Election Commission reported 98% coverage of all existing voters in the state. As many as 7.23 crore Form-1 documents (used for verifying names) were received by July 25, ensuring most voters had a chance to confirm their status.
Supreme Court to Hear Petitions
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear pleas challenging the revision process. Petitioners argue that voters were being removed despite having valid ID documents such as Aadhaar and voter cards. Critics fear the deletions may disproportionately impact poor, migrant, and illiterate populations.
Objection Period Begins
A one-month window for claims and objections has now opened. Voters whose names were removed can request re-inclusion. District Election Officers are required to provide written reasons for deletions and offer a fair hearing. Appeals can also be made to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Political and Public Concerns
Opposition parties have accused the Commission of rushing the process without adequate safeguards. In Parliament, concerns were raised over the exclusion of vulnerable groups. Election officials maintain the exercise was necessary to maintain the accuracy and integrity of voter records.
