SIR: A Routine Revision or a Political Flashpoint?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, a standard exercise by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to clean and update electoral rolls, has triggered political ripples in Bihar. Designed to ensure that only eligible voters are listed, SIR often becomes a contentious issue—particularly in politically charged states—due to concerns over omissions, duplications, or deliberate exclusions. This year’s SIR in Bihar has delivered startling revelations: over 18 lakh dead voters, 7.5 lakh duplicate entries, and 16 lakh who’ve shifted constituencies.
Dead, Duplicate, and Missing Voters: The Numbers Raise Eyebrows
According to the latest update, the SIR has completed enumeration for 90.67% of Bihar’s 7.89 crore voters. The data so far reveals:
· 18,66,869 voters (2.36%) are deceased but still listed.
· 7,50,742 voters (0.95%) are registered in more than one location.
· 26,01,031 voters (3.29%) have permanently shifted to another constituency.
· 52,30,126 voters (6.62%) were found absent from their listed addresses.
· 11,484 (0.01%) are categorised as “missing” voters, meaning they couldn’t be located.
Meanwhile, 7,68,34,228 names (97.30%) have been verified or included correctly, while data collection for the remaining 2.70% is still underway.
Election Commission on High Alert
Faced with the monumental task of ensuring a clean and accurate voter list before the draft rolls are published on August 1, 2025, the ECI has mobilised a robust workforce:
· 1 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
· 4 lakh volunteers
· 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) representing 12 major political parties
The ECI has issued a press note emphasising that all parties have been involved in the process. Detailed lists of unverified voters, duplicate names, and deceased individuals have been shared with party representatives to enhance transparency and participation.
Political Parties on Guard: Potential for Dispute
Given the scale of discrepancies, political implications loom large. In previous elections, such clean-up drives have sparked controversy, with parties accusing rivals of manipulating the voter rolls. In Bihar—where caste and community arithmetic deeply influence electoral outcomes—allegations of selective deletions or engineered exclusions could quickly escalate into political confrontations.
In 2018, for instance, similar discrepancies in Madhya Pradesh led to charges of partisan deletions and sparked a tug-of-war between the Congress and BJP. Analysts warn that Bihar could witness a similar scenario if the ongoing SIR process is not managed with utmost fairness and transparency.
Public Involvement: Final Window for Corrections
Recognising the public’s vital role, the ECI has opened the floor for objections. From August 1 to September 1, any citizen can file complaints or requests to add, delete, or correct entries in the draft electoral roll. This is a critical phase that will determine the integrity of the final list to be used in upcoming elections.
A Wake-up Call for Electoral Integrity
The uncovering of over 18 lakh dead voters and lakhs of inconsistencies in Bihar’s voter list isn’t just a clerical error—it underscores the urgent need for more robust verification mechanisms, digital integration, and real-time updates to the electoral system. While the ECI’s proactive approach and collaboration with political parties are commendable, ensuring that these corrections aren’t marred by political bias will be key.
The real test lies ahead: ensuring clean, fair, and inclusive electoral rolls that restore public trust and strengthen India’s democratic foundation.
(With agency inputs)
