Bihar's Special Intensive Electoral Roll Revision Underway

Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls Underway in Bihar

Background and Announcement

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, marking a significant administrative exercise. This revision, distinct from the regular annual Special Summary Revision, requires the fresh enumeration of all eligible voters in the state. The exercise was ordered through a directive issued on June 24, 2025, with Bihar chosen as the starting point for the SIR specifically because of its symbolic importance—Vaishali is regarded as the first seat of the Republic in India.^[2]

The SIR is being conducted in the lead-up to the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, scheduled for later in 2025. The revision involves the preparation of new electoral rolls, replacing the earlier summary updating practice. As part of this process, all 7.89 crore existing electors in the state were required to submit new enumeration forms by July 25, 2025, to ensure their inclusion in the draft roll.^[1]

Key Procedures and Documentation Requirements

Unlike routine electoral roll updates that largely use existing data, the SIR mandates that every voter re-establish eligibility through documented proof. The documentation requirements vary based on the period when an elector first appeared on the electoral rolls:

• For voters present in the 2003 intensive revision roll, an extract from that roll is sufficient proof.
• For voters who joined after January 1, 2003 (i.e., after the last intensive revision), additional documentary proof is required to establish the date and/or place of birth of the elector, as well as one or both of their parents if born after July 1, 1987.^[1]

The Election Commission has provided a list of 11 acceptable documents for proof, which includes the following:

• Birth certificate
• Caste certificate
• Passport
• Educational certificate
• Family register
• Land or house allotment certificate issued by the government

For those whose parents were listed in the 2003 roll, an extract for the parents can be submitted. However, individuals must still submit proof for themselves to confirm their own eligibility.^[1]

Reasons for the Special Exercise

The ECI has cited several administrative and integrity-related reasons for undertaking a comprehensive SIR in Bihar. One significant factor noted in the Commission’s statement from June 24, 2025, is the reported “inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants” on the electoral rolls over the years.^[3]

Aside from safeguarding the accuracy and integrity of the rolls, another aim is to address administrative challenges observed in previous electoral cycles. These include the duplication of entries, improper booth allocation, and logistical problems faced by voters. For example, there have been documented instances where members of a single family residing at one address are registered in different polling stations, sometimes even in separate Assembly constituencies. This has reportedly caused inconvenience to voters, particularly on election day.^[2]

“Our party has come across several instances wherein members belonging to the same family, living in the same house, have been registered as voters not only in two different booths two kilometres apart, but in two different Assembly constituencies, causing inconvenience particularly on the day of election…”
— Letter from JD(U) to the Election Commission of India^[2]

Implementation: Process and Timeline

To ensure broad compliance and thorough vetting, the ECI has directed all existing and aspiring voters in Bihar to submit fresh forms and supporting documents by July 25, 2025. The draft electoral roll was scheduled for publication on August 1, 2025, serving as the basis for further public verification and claims or objections. The final roll is set for publication on September 30, 2025.^[1]

The Commission may deploy its officers to assist citizens in obtaining the necessary documents, reflecting efforts to facilitate participation across the state.^[1]

To further streamline the process and improve accuracy, the ECI has engaged with representatives of all major political parties in Bihar. This ongoing dialogue aims to gather ground-level feedback and collaboratively resolve emerging issues during the revision.^[2]

In addition, the ECI has instructed that public objections and claims will be heard and addressed between the publication of the draft and final rolls, ensuring a period for necessary corrections without disenfranchising eligible voters.

Response to Documentary Proof and Legal Challenges

Requirements for documentary proof in the 2025 SIR have become a subject of public debate and legal scrutiny. Petitioners, including civil society activists and opposition groups, have filed cases in the Supreme Court challenging the rigid proof requirements. Specifically, they have requested the acceptance of the following documents as proof of identity or eligibility:

• Aadhaar
• Ration card
• Election Commission’s own Voter ID card

The Election Commission has so far declined to accept these documents for the current SIR, maintaining the list of 11 specified options instead.^[1]

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments concerning these requirements on August 12 and 13, 2025, after the draft roll is published and before the final voter roll release on September 30, 2025.^[1]

"The court had asked the EC to consider allowing Aadhaar, ration card, and its own Voter ID card as documentary proof, but the Commission has not accepted the suggestion. The matter is scheduled to be heard on August 12 and 13, after the publication of the draft roll but before the scheduled publication of the final roll on September 30."

Clarification on 'Suspicious Voters' and Related Rules

In response to parliamentary questions about the presence of "suspicious voters" on rolls, the ECI clarified through the Ministry of Law and Justice that there is no such legal category under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This clarification was issued alongside the SIR, as concerns regarding non-citizen entries have surfaced in public discourse.^[3]

"The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed that there is no category of suspicious voters as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951."

Furthermore, the ECI stated that while the 2021 amendment to the RP Act, 1950, allowed for voluntary collection of Aadhaar numbers from electors since August 1, 2022, the formal linking of Aadhaar with Election Photo Identity Cards has not been implemented.^[3]

Parliamentary Developments

The SIR exercise has generated considerable discussion in Parliament. Recent sessions of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha witnessed adjournments and disruptions as legislators sought clarification and raised concerns over the implementation of the revision in Bihar. However, the government and the ECI have proceeded with the scheduled reforms and stakeholder consultation processes.^[4]

Potential Administrative and Public Impacts

The Special Intensive Revision in Bihar is positioned as a major step towards strengthening the transparency, inclusiveness, and accuracy of the state’s electoral rolls. Potential administrative and public impacts include:

• Elimination of duplicate and erroneous entries, improving the electoral process's integrity.
• Increased documentation may pose challenges for individuals with limited access to official records, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
• Enhanced coordination between the ECI, local administration, and citizen groups to facilitate the documentation process and resolve grievances.
• Improved allocation of voters to appropriate polling stations, reducing logistical confusion and inconvenience for families on election day.^[2]
• Development of a more robust database for future electoral management and policy planning.

If implementation challenges—such as document availability and public awareness—are successfully addressed, the SIR could serve as a model for other states aiming to modernize voter rolls.

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Outreach

The Election Commission has made concerted efforts to involve varied stakeholders during the SIR process. These activities include:

• Direct consultations with political parties to gather observations, flag inconsistencies, and recommend administrative improvements.^[2]
• Deployment of field officials and possible support teams to assist citizens in obtaining and verifying required documents.^[1]
• Public information campaigns through official notices, local outreach, and support from grassroots organizations to increase awareness and compliance.
• Maintenance of transparent communication regarding timelines, expectations, and rights of electors, especially concerning claims and objections before final roll publication.

Conclusion

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar represents an unprecedented administrative task with potential to reshape the efficacy and trust in the election process. The operation underscores the Election Commission of India's commitment to a credible and up-to-date voter registry in anticipation of critical upcoming elections.

While legal, procedural, and practical challenges remain, particularly regarding document submission and the inclusion of marginalized groups, the ECI’s consultative and structured approach aims to address key concerns as the process progresses toward completion with the anticipated publication of the final roll on September 30, 2025.

The experience and outcomes of this exercise in Bihar may ultimately serve as a reference point for similar initiatives in other Indian states, contributing to ongoing reforms and modernization of the electoral system.