Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar of Electoral Rolls

ECI has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, requiring all voters to submit forms and post-2003 entrants to provide citizenship proof.

Initial Phase of Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Completed

The first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has been largely done, as per a communication made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on July 6, 2025. This all-important exercise, which has commenced on June 24, 2025, is intended to update and validate the state’s electoral rolls in the run-up to the coming Assembly elections.

First Phase SIR Process

In the first phase of this process, the major emphasis was on the enumeration form printing and distribution to Bihar’s almost 7.90 crore voters. The ECI has already confirmed that the forms have been provided to all reachable voters. As of July 6, more than 1.69 crore enumeration forms (i.e., about 21.46% of the overall electorate) have been collected, with a huge increase in collections within the last 24 hours. Parallelly, the forms are being uploaded, of which 7.25% have already been digitised.

Notwithstanding resistance and legal suits from some opposition parties apprehensive of disenfranchisement, the ECI has reaffirmed that the SIR is being implemented strictly according to the guidelines dated June 24, 2025. Electors can send in their forms and supporting documents up to July 25, 2025.

Draft electoral rolls, including names received on the forms, will be notified on August 1, 2025, following which there will be a claims and objections period to enable further inclusion and corrections. The ECI has employed a massive force of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), extra officers, and almost 4 lakh volunteers to enable the process, especially for old, PwD, ill, and vulnerable persons.

Updates on Bihar Assembly Election 2025

What is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive, house-to-house verification process to update and verify electoral rolls.
• Legally backed by Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Article 324(1) of the Constitution.

Objectives

• Remove ineligible or duplicate voters, including illegal immigrants.
• Ensure only genuine Indian citizens aged 18+ are included in the electoral rolls.

Why It’s Needed

• Large-scale additions and deletions over the last two decades.
• Increased urbanisation and migration have led to multiple voter registrations.
• Rising concerns over illegal immigrants and demographic manipulation, especially in border states like Bihar.

Key Features

• Applicable to all voters, with stricter checks for post-2003 registrants.
• Mandatory submission of enumeration forms and proof of birth/citizenship.

Document Requirements by Birth Year

• Born before July 1, 1987: Own birth document is sufficient.
• Born between 1987 and 2004: Personal document + one parent’s proof of citizenship.
• Born after 2004: Personal document + both parents’ citizenship proofs.
• Forms can be submitted online via the ECINET app or the official ECI website.

Significance of SIR

• Enhances the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
• Builds public confidence in the electoral process.
• May serve as a model for a nationwide voter verification

Types of Electoral Roll Revision

Intensive Revision

A complete overhaul of the electoral roll carried out afresh without reference to previous lists.

• Booth-level officers conduct at least two rounds of household verification to ensure accuracy.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts a “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) of electoral rolls under the provisions of Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Summary Revision

Involves updating the existing roll rather than creating a new one.

• No house-to-house verification; changes are incorporated based on claims and objections received before the final publication.

Special Summary Revision

• Ordered by the Election Commission if significant inaccuracies or under coverage are detected.
• The EC may modify the standard procedure as needed for better accuracy.

Partly Intensive and Partly Summary Revision

A mixed approach where the draft roll is published, select areas are verified through household visits, and the claims/objections process is followed.

Chronology of Electoral Roll Revisions in India

• 1950: Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act provided for annual revision with March 1 as the qualifying date.
• 1952: Post-first general election, the EC directed annual revisions to cover one-fifth of each state yearly, ensuring complete revision before the next polls.
• 1956: Annual intensive revision was targeted in urban areas, regions with migrant workers, and localities experiencing large population shifts.
• 1957: After the Lok Sabha polls, EC directed intensive revision for one-third of the state area each year for the next three years; 1961 focused on urban and migratory areas.
• 1960: Amendments led to annual roll revisions between January 1 and January 31.
• 1962: Post-election, summary revision was deemed sufficient for 1963 and 1964. Intensive revision resumed for 40% of the country in 1965 and the remaining 60% in 1966.
• 1966: District Election Officers were appointed; summary revisions took place in 1969-70 and 1975.
• 1976: No Lok Sabha election due to the Emergency; summary revision was conducted instead
• 1983: Staggered intensive revision began for rural constituencies ahead of the 1985 general elections.
• 1987-88: All constituencies underwent intensive revision; a special revision was conducted in 1989.
• 1992: Summary revision was ordered, followed by an intensive revision in 1993 and the introduction of EPIC cards.
• 1995: Intensive revision was implemented.
• 1999-2000: Due to computerisation, no intensive revision took place in these years.
• 2002: Special intensive revision occurred in 20 states; 7 states saw intensive revision in 2003–04.

Issues Raised with Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

• Potential Mass Disenfranchisement: A large number of eligible voters, especially the poor, uneducated, and marginalised, may be excluded due to the lack of required documents (like birth certificates, matriculation certificates, passports).
  • Bihar’s low documentation rates mean millions may lose their constitutional right to vote.
• Administrative Feasibility & Timeline: The scale of the exercise is massive (nearly 4.7 crore people in Bihar alone) with a tight timeline (just one month).
  • Electoral Registration Officers are unlikely to have the capacity to process and verify such a high volume of applications in such a short period, leading to errors or exclusion.
• Exclusion Due to State Capacity Failures: Many citizens lack documents not due to personal fault but because the State failed to provide birth registration, quality education, or timely certificates.
  • Penalising citizens for administrative deficiencies is unjust.
• Lack of Inclusion of Accessible Documents: Aadhaar and ration cards, which are widely held, are not accepted as proof, whereas less common documents are allowed.
  • This increases the burden on the poorest and most vulnerable, who are least likely to have “elite” documents.
• Migration and Deaths Not Properly Accounted: Large numbers of permanent migrants and deceased persons from the 2003 rolls distort estimates and add confusion regarding who needs to reapply.
  • Migrants who have moved states may be excluded from both their new and old constituencies.
• Disproportionate Impact on Marginalised Groups: Women, minorities, and deprived castes—who already have lower document possession and educational attainment—are at greater risk of exclusion.

Way Forward

• Expand the List of Acceptable Documents: Include widely available documents like Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and MGNREGA job cards as proof of identity and residence.
  • Relax stringent requirements to make the process more inclusive.
• Strengthen Outreach and Assistance: Organise door-to-door campaigns, special camps, and help desks, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, to assist people in collecting and submitting documents.
• Increase Timeframe for Submission and Verification: Extend the window for submitting documents and completing the revision, allowing sufficient time for collection, scrutiny, and correction of errors.
• Use Existing Databases and Technology: Leverage existing government databases (like Aadhaar, NPR, and welfare scheme lists) to cross-verify and auto-enrol eligible citizens where possible.
• Independent and Transparent Oversight: Set up independent committees (with civil society participation) to monitor the revision process and address grievances swiftly.
• Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups: Prioritise the inclusion of women, the poor, minorities, and marginalised communities through focused interventions and simplified procedures.
• Periodic and Incremental Revision: Adopt a gradual, ongoing revision approach rather than a one-time massive overhaul to avoid sudden, large-scale exclusions.

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