Bihar Electoral Roll Revision: Deadline & Enumeration Update
Bihar Electoral Roll Revision: ECI Confident of Meeting July 25 Deadline Amidst Special Intensive Drive
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New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is making notable strides in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, expressing confidence in completing the collection of Enumeration Forms (EFs) well before the stipulated deadline of July 25, 2025.This crucial exercise aims to ensure a extensive and accurate voter list for upcoming electoral processes in the state.
Door-to-Door Efforts for Maximum Inclusion
The ECI has deployed a robust network of 77,895 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), augmented by an additional 20,603 newly appointed BLOs, to facilitate the enumeration process. These BLOs are actively engaged in door-to-door visits, leaving no stone unturned to ensure the inclusion of every eligible elector whose names were on the Bihar electoral roll as of June 24, 2025.
Further bolstering these efforts, approximately 1.5 lakh Booth level Agents (BLAs), appointed by all political parties, are also conducting door-to-door visits. Their participation underscores a collaborative approach to electoral roll accuracy.
In a move to support vulnerable sections of the electorate, over four lakh volunteers are actively assisting senior citizens, Persons wiht Disabilities (PwD) electors, and other valuable groups, ensuring they receive the necessary support during the enumeration process.
Progress and Collection Milestones
As of 6 PM on the day of the report, the ECI announced that the printing of EFs was 100% complete, and their distribution to all electors found at their addresses was nearing full completion. The collection of these forms had already surpassed 6,32,59,496, representing an notable 80.11% of the total electors in Bihar. This means that four out of every five electors have submitted their Enumeration Forms, a testament to the efficiency of the ongoing drive. At this pace, the ECI anticipates the majority of EFs will be collected significantly ahead of the July 25, 2025 deadline.
Supreme Court Nod for Special Intensive Revision
The Supreme Court, on Thursday, granted the Election Commission the go-ahead to continue with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, a state gearing up for significant electoral activity. A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, while not imposing a stay on the SIR process, urged the ECI to consider accepting a wider range of documents for voter identity verification.
The apex court suggested that documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and electoral photo identity cards should be considered admissible for proving voter identity during the SIR. The bench stated, “We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc.. it is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay.” this directive aims to further enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of the electoral roll revision process.