Patna: Political parties in Bihar are yet to file any objection or claim regarding any inclusion or exclusion of voters in the revised draft electoral roll published by the Election Commission of India [ECI], as no such claims have come in till 11 AM on August 21, informed the poll panel in a release.
In its daily bulletin, the poll body said that no objections or claims by political parties have been received against the draft roll prepared after receiving enumeration forms as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The poll body however said that a total of 70, 895 individual electors have submitted their claims and objections since the rolling out of the draft list on August 1, with 3,449 disposals after seven days.
The Commission noted that it has also received 2, 28, 793 Form 6, pertaining to registration of new voters [ From those who attained 18 years of age or above].
Please Read #Bihar SIR DAILY BULLETIN:1st Aug(3 PM) till 21st Aug (11 AM)at https://t.co/cqJbTQNiOc
Other Ref. Links:
Link 1: https://t.co/qqHHpqJp3F
Link 2: https://t.co/6GlXD5AP4r
Link 3: https://t.co/s2OXIwmQqP
Link 4: https://t.co/QgxL3EKrhF
Link 5: https://t.co/9YFdna19q0 pic.twitter.com/EbiIJyV6FI— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) August 21, 2025
The poll body in the release reiterated that “as per SIR orders, no name can be deleted from the draft list publishing on August 1, 2025 without passing a speaking order by the ERO/AERO after conducting an enquiry and after giving a fair and reasonable opportunity.”
ECI’s voter revision drive in Bihar
ECI commenced a intensive voter revision drive in Bihar on June 25, aiming to overhaul the state’s electoral list by September 30.
The ECI after completion of the first phase of SIR drive published the draft electoral list on August 1, disclosing that around 65 lakh voters registered in the electoral list earlier are either found to be deceased, permanently migrated or enrolled at multiple places.
The Commission urged the political parties or voters to submit any claim or objections regarding inclusion or exclusion of any individual from the draft electoral list in a window opening from August 2 to September 1.
Opposition to ECI’s SIR drive
The ECI’s drive since its commencement stirred a major political row with opposition parties staging protest on streets and in parliament, claiming that the revision drive could lead to exclusion of voters on a large scale.
A number of opposition leaders along with NGO such as ADR also approached the apex court, seeking a stay on the drive.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi along with other leaders of Mahagathbandhan is also undertaking a Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, opposing the ECI’s SIR drive. The Yatra commenced a week after Rahul Gandhi in a press conference accused the ECI for vote manipulation in collusion with the BJP.
In reply the ECI on August 17 strongly countered the allegations of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, urging him to either submit an affidavit over the allegations or apologise to the nation.
The NDA leaders on the other hand have backed the ECI’s drive stating that the revision drive will ensure removal of ineligible voters and infiltrators whose name should not be there in the voter list.
The NDA leaders have also strongly criticized the opposition for politicising the issue for vote bank politics and electoral gains.
Assembly polls in Bihar are schedule to be held in winters this year with RJD-Congress led Mahagathbandhan locking horns with the ruling BJP-JDU led NDA alliance on 243 seats of state assembly.
