Bihar SIR: Close to 66 lakh voters in Bihar are unlikely to appear in the draft electoral roll that will be published on August 1, 2025, according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, July 25, 2025.
This comes at the conclusion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, where the last day for submission of enumeration forms saw a massive digitisation effort across the state.
Over 7.23 Crore Forms Received and Digitised
The ECI confirmed that forms of approximately 7.23 crore electors have been received and digitised. All these names will be included in the draft electoral roll set for publication on August 1, 2025.
However, 66 lakh eligible voters who either failed to submit forms on time or faced data discrepancies may miss inclusion in the draft list.
Window for Claims and Objections
Any claims of wrongful exclusion or inclusion can be filed by voters between August 1 and September 1, 2025. During this period, corrections, additions, or objections will be processed by electoral officers to finalise the updated voter list.
What Is Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision is conducted periodically by the ECI to ensure voter rolls are accurate and up-to-date.
- Citizens can submit forms to add their names, correct details, or delete entries of deceased voters.
- This year’s SIR in Bihar was crucial due to upcoming state and national elections, where accurate voter data plays a pivotal role.
Challenges Behind Missing Voter Data
Election officials indicate that the 66 lakh gap may be due to:
- Non-submission of forms by eligible citizens.
- Incomplete documentation or address proof.
- Migration and lack of updated records.
The ECI has assured that eligible voters can still submit claims during the objection window to avoid disenfranchisement.