Quick Summary
- Teh Election Commission (EC) of India has published draft electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar on August 2, 2025.
- A reduction of 65 lakh voters was noted in bihar’s electoral list compared to previous rolls before SIR.
- Eligible electors must provide new photographs by September 1 to receive updated Electoral Photo identity cards (EPIC).
- From August 1 to August 2, no claims were filed by political parties regarding voter inclusion or exclusion.
- Political parties have access to detailed draft roll data for verification purposes through their booth-level agents (BLAs), numbering over 1.60 lakh across the state’s polling booths and constituencies.
- Citizens can check and update their entries via camps set up across block-cum-circle offices and urban municipal offices, operational daily until September 1.
- Special campaigns targeting young voters aged 18 or about to reach voting age by October resulted in over 3,223 form submissions in one day alone.
- Remuneration for Booth-Level Officers (BLOs), supervisors, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Assistant EROs was substantially increased after long-standing revisions dating back to 2015.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The EC’s Special Intensive Revision is a critical step toward ensuring updated electoral records based on current demographics, although the reduction of over six million voters warrants further clarification-whether due to errors or legitimate exclusions. With zero objections from political parties within the first day post-publication and new facilities like online drafts accessible through EPIC numbers, this process reflects commendable clarity.
The remuneration revision for election officers is overdue but timely given the magnitude of this task. Compensation improvements may incentivize higher adherence among officials responsible for maintaining credible rolls-a key factor impacting democratic legitimacy. Attention should also remain focused on whether newly eligible young voters are adequately represented and whether public outreach methods yield high participation rates as envisioned under expanded campaigns.
Read more: Election Commission updates voter list after extensive Bihar revision