Bihar SIR: Only 6.85% of voters yet to submit enumeration forms

Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has seen 6.85% of voters yet to submit their enumeration forms. 4.5% have not been found at their addresses, 1.59% have deceased, 0.73% are enrolled at multiple places, and 2.2% have probably permanently shifted. 88.65% of existing electors have given their enumeration forms to be included in the draft electoral roll to be published on August 1, 2025.

Bihar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is in full swing, with significant progress made despite some challenges. As of July 16, 2025, only 6.85% of voters have yet to submit their enumeration forms [2]. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported that 4.5% of voters have not been found at their addresses, 1.59% have deceased, 0.73% are enrolled at multiple places, and 2.2% have probably permanently shifted [2].

The SIR, which began on June 24, 2025, aims to clean up the electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The ECI has been directed by the Supreme Court to consider Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents for this exercise [3]. This directive has facilitated the process, with 88.65% of existing electors having already provided their enumeration forms to be included in the draft electoral roll to be published on August 1, 2025 [2].

The ECI has also been proactive in ensuring that no eligible elector is left out. Special camps are being set up in all 5,683 wards of the state's urban local bodies (ULBs) to assist voters in submitting their forms. Additionally, people who have temporarily migrated outside Bihar can fill out the enumeration forms online using the ECINet App or the voters’ service portal [2].

However, the exercise has faced some criticism. Senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing one of the petitioners, argued that the ECI's SIR drive was arbitrary and discriminatory, and that the exercise had no basis in law [3]. The court, however, noted that the matter needed a hearing and directed the ECI to file a counter affidavit within one week [3].

Despite these challenges, the SIR exercise is proceeding smoothly, with 66.16% of enumeration forms collected in the last 16 days [1]. The ECI aims to complete the exercise well before the deadline of July 25, ensuring a clean and up-to-date electoral roll for the upcoming elections.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/as-sc-hears-bihar-sir-pleas-poll-body-said-exercise-going-on-smoothly/articleshow/122370548.cms
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/elections/bihar-assembly/bihar-sir-only-685-of-voters-yet-to-submit-their-enumeration-forms/article69819470.ece
[3] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/supreme-court-aadhaar-voter-id-ration-cards-bihar-electoral-rolls-125071001141_1.html