Bihar SIR: Roll revision process shows rural-urban divide, Aadhaar accepted in Patna, not in Seemanchal

Bihar's roll revision reveals an urban-rural divide as 57 per cent of voters submit forms. (Representative Image)

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is truly a process in motion with the Election Commission of India (ECI) declaring on Tuesday that the collection of Enumeration forms for the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar has reached nearly the halfway mark, with enumeration forms of nearly 57.5 per cent of Bihar's 7.9 crore voters collected in the initial 15 days of the process.

But with an elaborate process like SIR, earmarked to complete with a definite period, the process was believed to throw up multiple challenges. A report by the Times of India points out to an apparent rural-urban divide that has come up. The publication, after speaking to people on both sides of ongoing initiative-- officials and locals, reported that while officials were seen taking forms on basis of Aadhaar cards in Patna, not many were willing to accept the card in Seemanchal and other parts of rural Bihar, where birth certificates or, in lieu, caste or land allotment documents were being insisted on.

The publication also found that booth level officers, Jeevika didis, shiksha mitras and Anganwadi sevikas distributing enumeration forms in villages and towns of Bihar at a rapid pace. In Patna and adjoining areas, voters, said they have been asked to fill in and sign the forms and submit a copy of their voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, or even ration cards, if they don't have any of the 11 documents required by the Election Commission.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying hard to make inroads into Seemanchal, currently the stronghold of the Mahagathbandhan. The importance of the region can be understood from the fact that Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched his Lok Sabha campaign in Bihar in September 2022 from Seemanchal and has visited Bihar thrice after the Janata Dal (United) snapped ties with the BJP in August 2022.

Aadhaar and ration cards are not included in the list of 11 documents mandated by the EC, triggering widespread protests from Opposition India Bloc. The real challenge for the poll body is to seek one of the 11 documents. The problem seems to magnigy in districts like Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Kathihar districts of Semmanchal region, where people did not have proper documents inplace and are seen standing in long queues at block offices, desperate to get residential certificates.

According to the Election Commission's instructions, the list of 11 documents is indicative, not exhaustive. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are authorised to prepare electoral rolls and have the discretion to accept additional documents. The EC can issue guidelines, but it cannot restrict the types of documents an ERO may consider, as the final decision rests with the ERO.

The requirement of these documents has raised serious concerns over access, especially among rural, marginalised, and migrant populations. According to a Dainik Bhaskar report, many poor families do not possess any of these 11 documents. A large number of Bihar's young population has migrated for work, making form submission difficult. Moreover, some documents contain name mismatches, leading to form rejections. There is also a lack of technical or administrative assistance in remote areas.

While the SIR initiative aims to clean up electoral rolls and strengthen the voting system, it has triggered serious worries about access and fairness. For many of Bihar’s most vulnerable — including migrant labourers, daily-wage earners, and illiterate citizens, navigating the document maze is a daunting task.