The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a sharp rebuttal on Sunday to what it described as “misleading narratives” surrounding the ongoing voter list revision process in Bihar, emphasizing that the draft electoral roll—due to be published on August 1—is not the final list and there remains a full month for corrections and objections.
The poll body expressed concern over attempts by certain groups and political leaders to portray the draft roll as the final version of the voters’ list, thereby inciting fear and confusion among the electorate.
“We are unable to understand the motive behind this manufactured urgency and panic,” said the Commission in an official statement. “There is a clear and publicly declared window from August 1 to September 1 to raise objections or submit claims for any erroneous inclusion or exclusion.”
The Commission’s clarification follows the conclusion of Phase 1 of Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, a month-long process during which house-to-house surveys were conducted to verify voter details.
As part of the outreach, semi-filled enumeration forms were distributed and subsequently returned by citizens after validation. So far, the Election Commission has received forms from 7.24 crore electors.
Key Findings from the First Phase
The EC revealed that:
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36 lakh individuals were found to have either permanently shifted residences or were not traceable at their registered addresses.
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Another seven lakh voters were identified as having duplicate entries, i.e., being enrolled at multiple locations within or outside the state.
In response to criticism from political quarters, the Commission questioned the failure of political parties to mobilize their 1.6 lakh registered booth-level agents (BLAs) during this critical period.
“Why not direct your booth-level agents to utilize the legally provided opportunity between August 1 and September 1 to submit objections and corrections, instead of creating a public uproar?” the EC asked pointedly.
Booth-level agents (BLAs) are party-appointed representatives who assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during voter list preparation and revisions. The EC emphasized that these agents are the first line of defense against discrepancies and should be actively involved in ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind.
Opposition Claims and EC’s Response
Several opposition parties in Bihar have alleged that millions of legitimate voters could be disenfranchised during the revision process due to documentation issues, especially among marginalized and economically weaker sections.
They have accused the state administration of being politically biased and acting in favor of the ruling BJP-led alliance, which they claim could benefit from a manipulated voter list.
In response, the EC categorically stated that such concerns should be addressed within the formal correction window, not through speculative public narratives that risk undermining public trust in the electoral process.
“Why are some persons giving an impression that the draft roll is the final roll, which it is not, as per the directives of the Special Intensive Revision?” the Commission reiterated.