Patna: Thousands of voters in Bihar risk being removed from the electoral rolls following a major overhaul of the voter registration process announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI). As part of a special intensive revision (SIR) of the voter list, the Commission has suspended the issuance of new voter ID cards (EPIC) and declared that existing cards will be invalidated for those who fail to participate in the process by the time a draft list is published on August 1.
The decision is aimed at cleaning up the electoral rolls, with the Commission stating its intention to ensure a “pure and real” voter list that reflects active and eligible voters. Officials hope that a more accurate list will also improve voter turnout in future elections.
To support this revision, the Commission has ordered an immediate halt to EPIC data transfers to card-making agencies. Voters who were previously listed but did not respond to the latest verification process may find their booths changed or their names missing from the updated rolls.
Approximately 4.96 crore of Bihar’s nearly 7.9 crore registered voters already appear in the final deeply revised list dated 1 January 2003. These individuals are being asked to confirm their entries, fill out new verification forms, and submit them. Around 5.74 crore registered mobile numbers are receiving SMS alerts urging voters to comply.
In a bid to assist vulnerable groups—including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged communities—more than one lakh volunteers will be mobilised during the revision drive. Additionally, some 20,603 new Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are being appointed to oversee changes at newly designated polling stations.
Political engagement at the booth level has also intensified, with 1,54,977 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed so far by national and state-recognised political parties. The Commission expects more appointments in the coming weeks.
The revised verification process began on June 25, with officials distributing physical forms door-to-door across all 243 assembly constituencies in the state. An online submission facility has also been made available and is reported to be running smoothly.
