Over 35 Lakh Voter Names to Be Removed in Bihar as EC Cleans Electoral Roll Ahead of 2025 Elections
In a sweeping update to Bihar’s voter database, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is preparing to remove approximately 35.5 lakh names from the state’s electoral roll. This action comes under the Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, an initiative aimed at ensuring voter records are current, accurate, and fraud-free ahead of the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election
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Jul 15, 2025
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Why Are Names Being Deleted?
The large-scale deletions stem from discrepancies identified during the ongoing door-to-door voter verification process, which saw over 88% of Bihar's nearly 8 crore electors participate by submitting enumeration forms. The Election Commission cited four main reasons for the deletions:
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Deaths: Voters who have passed away but remained on the list
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Migration: Individuals who have moved away from the constituency or state
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Duplicate Entries: Voters registered more than once
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Ineligibility: Including cases where foreign nationals were found to possess Indian voter IDs
This cleanup is intended to enhance the integrity of the voter database by removing inactive or fraudulent entries. The draft electoral roll will be published on August 1, and the final list will be made public later in the year, in time for the upcoming state elections.
Safeguards and Concerns
While the ECI has emphasized transparency and data validation, the revision process has raised concerns among civil society groups and political parties. Critics argue that the deletion process may unintentionally disenfranchise migrant workers, rural voters, and marginalized communities, who often struggle to maintain consistent documentation.
In response, the Commission has stated that it will accept multiple forms of identity proof, including Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration cards, during the verification process. The Supreme Court has also directed the EC to ensure that voters are not excluded due to lack of a single document.
Looking Ahead: A More Reliable Voter Roll
This revision is part of a broader trend across India to modernize voter databases using digital tools, field verification, and cross-referencing with other government datasets. While concerns around access and fairness persist, many see this effort as a necessary step toward free, fair, and transparent elections.
The outcome of this initiative will be closely watched, not just in Bihar but across India, as a test case for voter roll accuracy and democratic accountability.
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