NEW DELHI: In a development from Bihar’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday revealed that over 65 lakh electors—nearly 8.3 per cent of the state's total electorate- were either deceased, permanently shifted, untraceable or found to be registered at multiple locations.
According to official data released by the ECI, out of 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, 2025, enumeration forms were submitted by over 7.24 crore electors, reflecting a 91.69 per cent participation rate.
However, the commission found that 22 lakh electors (2.83 per cent) had passed away, while another 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) were either permanently shifted or not found at their listed addresses.
Additionally, 7 lakh electors (0.89 per cent) were discovered to be enrolled at multiple places in the electoral rolls.
The ECI noted that these discrepancies were identified during the enumeration phase conducted from June 24 to July 25. As per the Commission’s explanation, electors who were not found may have become voters in other states, ceased to exist, not returned their forms on time, or expressed unwillingness to remain registered.
The final status of these electors will be determined by August 1 after scrutiny by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and genuine voters can still be reinstated during the claims and objection period from August 1 to September 1.
The Commission highlighted that one of the key goals of the SIR was to ensure participation of all electors and political parties.
Credit for the successful completion of this phase was attributed to the collective efforts of the CEO of Bihar, District Election Officers (DEOs) across all 38 districts, and over 77,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Their work was complemented by 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from 12 major political parties, whose involvement increased by over 16 per cent during the revision.
The CPI(M) saw the most dramatic jump in BLA deployment, up by over 1,000 per cent, followed by CPI(ML) (up 542 per cent) and Congress (up 105 per cent). BJP’s BLAs rose modestly by 3 per cent, while parties like RJD and RLSP showed marginal changes.
Notably, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party saw a 22 per cent drop in BLA numbers.
The ECI has reiterated that no eligible elector in Bihar should be left behind. SMS campaigns were conducted to 5.7 crore mobile numbers, and BLOs undertook repeated house visits to ensure submission of forms. Efforts were also made to reach temporary migrants from Bihar through nationwide newspaper ads and coordination with CEOs of other states.
As per ECI data, around 29 lakh forms were accessed by migrants online, 16 lakh through the ECINet app and 13 lakh via downloads.
Urban and young voters were another key focus. Camps were organised across 5,683 urban wards in 261 urban local bodies, and special drives are planned between August 1 and September 1 to enrol youth who have or will turn 18 by October 1, 2025.
The ECI further stated that electoral officers, volunteers, and political parties have worked together to support senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups in filing necessary documents.
The ECI has already announced plans to expand the SIR to the rest of the country and will soon announce a schedule.
According to official data released by the ECI, out of 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, 2025, enumeration forms were submitted by over 7.24 crore electors, reflecting a 91.69 per cent participation rate.
However, the commission found that 22 lakh electors (2.83 per cent) had passed away, while another 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) were either permanently shifted or not found at their listed addresses.
Additionally, 7 lakh electors (0.89 per cent) were discovered to be enrolled at multiple places in the electoral rolls.
The ECI noted that these discrepancies were identified during the enumeration phase conducted from June 24 to July 25. As per the Commission’s explanation, electors who were not found may have become voters in other states, ceased to exist, not returned their forms on time, or expressed unwillingness to remain registered.
The final status of these electors will be determined by August 1 after scrutiny by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and genuine voters can still be reinstated during the claims and objection period from August 1 to September 1.
The Commission highlighted that one of the key goals of the SIR was to ensure participation of all electors and political parties.
Credit for the successful completion of this phase was attributed to the collective efforts of the CEO of Bihar, District Election Officers (DEOs) across all 38 districts, and over 77,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Their work was complemented by 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from 12 major political parties, whose involvement increased by over 16 per cent during the revision.
The CPI(M) saw the most dramatic jump in BLA deployment, up by over 1,000 per cent, followed by CPI(ML) (up 542 per cent) and Congress (up 105 per cent). BJP’s BLAs rose modestly by 3 per cent, while parties like RJD and RLSP showed marginal changes.
Notably, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party saw a 22 per cent drop in BLA numbers.
The ECI has reiterated that no eligible elector in Bihar should be left behind. SMS campaigns were conducted to 5.7 crore mobile numbers, and BLOs undertook repeated house visits to ensure submission of forms. Efforts were also made to reach temporary migrants from Bihar through nationwide newspaper ads and coordination with CEOs of other states.
As per ECI data, around 29 lakh forms were accessed by migrants online, 16 lakh through the ECINet app and 13 lakh via downloads.
Urban and young voters were another key focus. Camps were organised across 5,683 urban wards in 261 urban local bodies, and special drives are planned between August 1 and September 1 to enrol youth who have or will turn 18 by October 1, 2025.
The ECI further stated that electoral officers, volunteers, and political parties have worked together to support senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups in filing necessary documents.
The ECI has already announced plans to expand the SIR to the rest of the country and will soon announce a schedule.
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