In a significant move to address concerns over voter rights, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has promised the Supreme Court that no names will be removed from Bihar’s draft electoral roll without proper safeguards. This assurance comes as the state gears up for assembly elections later this year, with the revision process sparking debates on fairness and inclusion.
The ECI’s latest affidavit, submitted by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar, emphasizes a strict adherence to natural justice principles. Specifically, any potential deletion requires prior notice to the affected voter, a chance for them to present their case and submit documents, and a detailed, reasoned order from the relevant authority. This step aims to prevent wrongful exclusions and ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The affidavit responds directly to a petition by the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which challenged the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The SIR, the first major voter list overhaul in Bihar since 2003, involves verifying details of millions of electors through house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers. The draft roll was published on August 1, 2025, following the collection of enumeration forms from existing voters.
To boost participation, the ECI shared lists of electors who hadn’t submitted forms with recognized political parties as early as July 20, 2025, allowing for corrective actions. Updated lists were provided later to encourage follow-ups. Out of approximately 7.89 crore registered electors, over 7.24 crore successfully submitted their forms, thanks to the involvement of state machinery, volunteers, and party agents.
Efforts extended to migrant workers, with Hindi advertisements placed in 246 newspapers nationwide. The commission also deployed around 2.5 lakh volunteers—many of them Bihar government officials—to help voters, including assisting with document procurement. Strict guidelines were issued to avoid deletions without notice and proper orders, and daily press releases keep the public updated on claims and objections.
A two-tier appeal system further strengthens these measures, giving voters recourse against any unfair decisions. The ECI has defended the SIR as essential for clean rolls, dismissing claims of mass exclusions and noting that exclusions from the draft don’t equate to permanent deletions—voters can still file claims until September 1, 2025.
The Supreme Court, while refusing to halt the revision on July 10, 2025, directed the ECI to consider Aadhaar, Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), and ration cards as valid proofs. The matter is set for a detailed hearing on August 12 and 13, 2025, amid allegations from opposition parties that the process could disenfranchise marginalized groups.
As Bihar’s political landscape heats up, this affidavit underscores the ECI’s commitment to an inclusive democracy, potentially easing tensions before the polls.
