Patna: The draft voter list for Bihar’s 2025 Assembly elections was published on Friday under the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign, with the process now underway to include the names of eligible voters omitted from the preliminary roll.
According to District Election Officer Dr Tyagarajan S M, approximately 3.95 lakh voters were excluded from the draft list due to reasons such as death, migration, or registration in another constituency. However, the administration is providing an opportunity for eligible individuals to file claims and objections between 2 August and 1 September.
In the 14 Assembly constituencies of Patna district, the total number of registered voters before the SIR stood at 50.47 lakh. Of these, 92.16% — amounting to 46.51 lakh have been included in the current draft.
Special voter camps will be organised from Saturday onwards to facilitate the submission of claims and objections. Hard and soft copies of the draft electoral roll have been distributed to representatives of all political parties and posted at designated public places. The draft is also accessible online at eci.gov.in.
Dr Tyagarajan, speaking at a meeting with party representatives and election officials, emphasised the need for collective effort to ensure that no eligible voter is left out, and no ineligible names remain. The final voter list is scheduled for publication on 30 September, following scrutiny and resolution of all claims by September 25.
To support the campaign, over 5,600 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 527 supervisors, and all 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have received training. From 2 August to 1 September, special camps will run daily from 10am to 5pm at all AERO offices and urban local bodies. BLOs and data entry operators will assist citizens in filing both physical and online applications. On Sunday, BLOs will be present at every polling booth from 9am to 5pm.
For voters unable to visit the camps — particularly the elderly and persons with disabilities — BLOs will conduct home visits to collect forms. BLOs are permitted to receive a maximum of 10 claims and objections per day and submit up to 30 forms per camp. Each submission must include the respective Booth Level Agent’s (BLA) declaration.
Weekly updates on claims and objections will be shared with the representatives of all 12 recognised political parties.
To ensure smooth monitoring and grievance redressal, a control room has been set up at the District Election Office. Voters can dial the toll-free helpline number 1950 to access assistance related to voter registration, constituency details, and contact information for BLOs.
Dr Tyagarajan has issued a stern warning against laxity in electoral duties. Disciplinary action has already been taken against 11 BLOs for negligence during the revision process — with three FIRs filed, eight schoolteachers suspended, and three female workers relieved of their duties.
