New Delhi: The ongoing electoral revision drive by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has sparked a major political row in the poll bound state of Bihar with opposition parties expressing concerns that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive of ECI might lead to exclusion of a significant chunk of voters.
Though amidst the speculation raised by the opposition parties that the drive could lead to disfranchising of voters particularly from the poor and marginalized groups, the ECI officials on July 2 met with representatives from various political parties to discuss their concerns regarding the special drive at Nirvachan Sadan.
“Representatives of various political parties(PPs) met Election Commission comprising CEC Gyanesh Kumar along with ECs Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi at ECI, New Delhi, today to discuss the issues related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar,” said a post of ECI on X.
The Commission further informed that the SIR is being conducted in accordance with provisions of Constitution and aimed at identifying ineligible voters along ensuring that no eligible voter is left out.
“Commission stated that SIR is being conducted in accordance with provisions of Article 326, RP Act 1950 & instructions issued on 24.06.2025 Party representatives raised concerns related to SIR. Each concern which was raised by any member of PP was fully addressed by Commission,” the post added.
Commission thanked all political parties for appointing more than 1.5 lakh BLAs at ground level for participating in the SIR exercise.
In the end, Commission also thanked all political parties for actively participating in SIR process so that no eligible voter is left out. (4/4)
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) July 2, 2025
Sharing the details of the interaction, the ECI informed that it allowed two representatives from every party for a meeting including those who had come unannounced.
“Some of the participants were given an appointment and others were allowed to join in without any prior appointment as Commission decided to meet two representatives from every party so as to listen to all views,” read the ECI’s post.
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive
The Election Commission is currently conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, ahead of the assembly polls which are expected to held later this year.
The ongoing drive which commenced on June 25 aims to verify the eligibility of voters and ensure accurate electoral rolls ahead of the assembly elections expected to be held later this year.
The ECI has assured that the SIR would be conducted transparently and fairly, with measures in place to assist vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and the economically vulnerable.
The drive involves house-to-house verification, online submission of forms, and assistance from Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and volunteers.
ECI uploads 2003 electoral rolls of Bihar
Earlier the commission uploads the 2003 electoral rolls of Bihar on its website, announcing that the 4.96 crore voters in the list need not to submit any documents for verification.
“They (4.96 crore voters) have to just verify their details from the 2003 Electoral Rolls in the electoral rolls and submit the filled-up Enumeration Form,” said the commission.
The commission further stated that anyone whose name does not featured in the 2003 electoral list can use the extract of the electoral roll than providing any other documents related to their parents.
“In such cases, no other document would be required for his/her mother or father. Only the relevant extract/details of the 2003 ER would be sufficient. Such electors would have to submit the documents, only for themselves, along with the filled-up Enumeration Form,” stated the ECI.
It further underscored that the availability of the 2003 Electoral Rolls of Bihar would hugely facilitate the ongoing revision drive in Bihar, as now nearly 60 per cent of the total electorate would not have to submit any documents.
