During a door-to-door Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) discovered a large number of non-citizens—from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—whose names were erroneously included as registered voters. According to EC sources quoted by PTI and other outlets, names flagged as foreign nationals will be removed from the final roll, expected to be published on September 30, ahead of Bihar’s assembly elections late this year.

Simultaneously, EC officials confirmed that over 80% of voters have already updated their details—such as name, address, date of birth, Aadhaar number, and EPIC number—through the ongoing house-to-house verification, demonstrating high public engagement.

What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

Launched on June 24, 2025, the SIR initiative aims to cleanse voter rolls by verifying existing entries and filling in missing details—with an emphasis on:

• Ensuring only eligible Indian citizens are listed,

• Removing deceased persons, internal migrants, and

• Identifying bogus and foreign infiltrators.

EC has set September 30 as the deadline for public objections, after which the rolls will be finalized.

The Surprise Reveal: Foreign Names on Voter Lists

Field visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in hundreds of villages and towns across Bihar uncovered suspicious entries linked to individuals born in Nepal, Bangladesh, or Myanmar. Many reportedly used fake identity proofs, such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and domicile certificates, to register as voters.

These irregularities have prompted a thorough review. Final entries will be removed only after confirmation by BLOs and district election officers, with formal deletions starting after August 1.

Tangled Politics: Opposition vs ECI

As the SIR exercise advances, it has ignited political tensions:

• Opposition parties like RJD, Congress, and AIMIM have questioned the move, claiming it could disenfranchise genuine voters, especially poor and migrant groups. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi described it as a “backdoor NRC,” raising concerns about legal rights.

• The Supreme Court intervened on July 10, advising the EC to accept documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof. The court has not halted the SIR process.

• Meanwhile, the EC—under CEC Gyanesh Kumar—defends SIR as a constitutional necessity, citing low-quality data, migration, youth voters, and suspected foreign infiltrators.

Legal Backdrop and Civic Concerns

The debate has triggered wider legislative scrutiny:

• A PIL filed in the Supreme Court supports nationwide voter roll updates ahead of every election to block non-citizens entering voter lists—a process long discussed since Assam’s famed D-voter practice.

• EC asserts the SIR will be modelled nationally, with potential roll revisions in states like Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and all assembly states next in line.

80% Voters Update Details: What That Means

The EC reports nearly 80% of Bihar’s 78.9 million voters have already submitted their complete personal details through house visits. This includes:

• Full name, address, and date of birth

• Aadhaar number, EPIC ID, and voter card details

Such high compliance suggests widespread awareness and cooperation ahead of tightening voter database reforms.

However, around 20% of voters remain unverified, often due to:

• Lack of required documents

• Seasonal migrant work

• Logistical delays

EC has extended form submission timing and encouraged using online portals for corrections.

?? Impact Ahead of 2025 Bihar Assembly ElectionsBihar is scheduled to hold assembly elections in October–November 2025. The SIR and associated controversies have become a central election issue:

• Political analysts believe clean rolls may alter voter composition significantly, impacting marginal seats.

• Opposition groups fear mass exclusions, especially in border districts like Seemanchal, which have seen illegal immigration claims.

• BJP and EC counter that removing fake entries enhances democracy and increases trust in electoral data.

Looking Ahead: Nationwide Model for Future Elections

The success or controversy over Bihar’s SIR may set a precedent for national roll revisions:

• If EC proves it can cleanse rolls without harming genuine voters, other states may follow.

• Supreme Court rulings on documents will guide future guidelines.

• Supreme Court PILs are urging nationwide legislative reform to keep voter data dynamic, accurate, and citizen-centric.

As Bihar gears up for elections later this year, the SIR exercise has emerged as a litmus test for electoral integrity. The ECI is walking a fine line—balancing national security interests with social justice imperatives.

With over 80% of voters already updated, the groundwork appears strong. Now, attention shifts to how the EC addresses the remaining 20%, the legal outcomes, and whether final rolls will reflect clean, credible voter data.