Patna, June 25, 2025: In a move set to reshape voter registration in India, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday launched a new directive requiring all voters in Bihar to submit detailed enumeration forms ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. For the first time, voters must now provide proof of both place and date of birth—a significant departure from previous requirements that focused only on the date of birth and residence.
This massive data collection drive, called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, begins on Wednesday and will continue until July 26, targeting over 7.73 crore voters in the state.
What’s New This Time?
As part of the SIR, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit every household to physically verify documents and distribute enumeration forms. Voters are expected to fill out the form on the spot and hand it back to the BLO. In cases of locked homes, BLOs will leave the form and return at least three times to collect it.
For those opting to submit forms online, the EC has announced that BLOs will still physically verify the provided details. However, the website link for online submission is yet to be disclosed.
The draft electoral roll is scheduled to be published on August 1, with a window for claims and objections open until September 1. The final list will be released on September 30.
Proof of Place of Birth: A Citizenship Litmus Test?
Perhaps the most controversial element of the exercise is the requirement for voters to submit proof of their place of birth, making the registration process an implicit test of citizenship. This is especially significant in light of recent allegations by the BJP that undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh have been enrolled as voters in Bihar.
An EC official stated, “This process is likely to be followed for future elections as well,” signaling a potential nationwide rollout of the new rules.
But concerns are mounting over the lack of clarity regarding citizens who lack the necessary documents—especially orphans, abandoned children, and the poor. The EC has so far not addressed queries on how such individuals will be accommodated under the new rules.
Who Needs to Submit What?
The enumeration form categorizes voters into three groups based on The Citizenship Act, 1955:
- Born before July 1, 1987: Proof of date and/or place of birth.
- Born between July 1, 1987 and December 12, 2004: Proof for themselves and at least one parent.
- Born after December 2, 2004: Proof for themselves and both parents.
A particularly concerning clause in the form reads:
“If any parent is not Indian, provide a copy of his/her valid passport & visa at the time of your birth.”
Naturalized citizens and those born outside India also fall under separate documentation requirements.
Documents That Count (And Those That Might)
The EC has released a list of acceptable documents, but emphasized that the list is not exhaustive. It includes:
- Identity cards or pension documents from Central/State Govt./PSUs
- Government-issued documents before July 1, 1987
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Matriculation or school certificates
- State-issued permanent residence certificates
- Forest Rights certificates
- Caste certificates
- NRC documents (if applicable)
- Family registers
- Government land/house allotment papers
Importantly, the EC clarified that if a voter’s name appears on the electoral roll with the qualifying date of January 1, 2003, that record will count as valid proof.
Fairness and Due Process Promised
In a bid to prevent arbitrary deletion of names, Point 14 of Annexure A in the EC’s order states that no entry will be removed from the draft roll without a formal inquiry and fair opportunity for the person concerned to respond. If dissatisfied, the individual may appeal to the District Magistrate, and further to the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days.
Why This Matters
The timing and nature of this revision have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. The Opposition parties have questioned the integrity of the electoral roll, while the BJP has doubled down on allegations of illegal immigrants corrupting voter data.
But at the heart of it lies the concern that millions of legitimate voters may be at risk of losing their right to vote—especially those without birth certificates, elderly citizens, women without documentation, and marginalized communities.
While the EC insists the process is necessary to ensure the purity of the electoral rolls, the lack of flexibility for those without parental documentation raises the fear of mass disenfranchisement.
This is the first such intensive verification since 2003. If successful, it could become the new national standard for voter verification. But the EC now faces the daunting task of not just collecting data—but ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and fairness in how that data is used.
With elections in Bihar expected later this year, the pressure is on to finalize a clean, updated, and controversy-free voter list. Whether this exercise enhances democratic participation—or suppresses it—remains to be seen.
