EC on Bihar SIR: 99% electors covered, 21.6 lakh deceased identified, 1 lakh voters ‘untraceable’

According to local BLOs/BLAs, 1 lakh electors are untraceable, the EC said, adding that despite door-to-door visits, forms of fewer than 7 lakh electors have still not been received

Amid a showdown over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being undertaken in poll-bound Bihar, the Election Commission on Thursday said that the aim of the exercise is that no eligible voter should be left out.

The poll body informed that 99 per cent of the electors have already been covered and added that the draft electoral rolls would be published on August 1, 2025.

“The booth-level lists of those electors who have not filled their forms, of deceased electors, and electors who have permanently migrated have already been shared by BLOs/EROs/DEOs/CEOs with all political parties on 20th July, so that they can point out any errors,” the Election Commission said in an official note published on its website.

It further added that as per the SIR order, any elector or any political party can file a claim in case of any missing names or raise an objection in case of any wrong inclusion till September 1, 2025.

The poll body pointed that the BLOs/BLAs have reported names of 21.6 lakh deceased electors, 31.5 lakh electors who have permanently migrated. They have also found that 7 lakh electors are registered at more than one place.

According to local BLOs/BLAs, 1 lakh electors are untraceable, the EC said, adding that despite door-to-door visits, forms of fewer than 7 lakh electors have still not been received.

On Thursday, opposition leaders held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the SIR exercise.

Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday, protested against the ongoing SIR being conducted by the EC.

The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar, and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR.

The EC today informed that forms of 7.21 crore electors (91.32 per cent) have been received and digitised; names of all these electors will be included in the draft electoral roll. “The remaining forms are also being digitised along with BLO/BLA reports to facilitate their verification during the claims and objections period,” it said.

As per the SIR Order, the draft electoral roll will be published on August 1, 2025, and printed as well as digital copies will be provided to all 12 political parties. The draft roll will also be available on the EC website.