‘Bihar SIR’: ECI Files Affidavit In SC, Says List Of 65 Lakh Dropped Voters Published On Official Sites

ECI

The Election Commission of India has filed a written response in the Supreme Court that it has fully complied with its earlier directions on electoral transparency in Bihar.

The poll body said it has released a booth-wise list of nearly 65 lakh voters whose names were removed from the state’s electoral rolls during the recent revision.

A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant will hear petitions today that allege large-scale deletion of voter names during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Bihar is set to hold Assembly elections in November this year, making the issue particularly significant.

In its affidavit, the ECI stated, “That in light of the order passed by the (Supreme) Court, the booth-wise list of about 65 lakh persons whose names do not appear in the Draft electoral Roll has been published on the website of all 38 District Election Officers in the State of Bihar, along with reasons for their non-inclusion in the Draft Electoral Roll, i.e., whether it is on account of death, shifting of ordinary residence or duplicate entries.”

Reasons & Accessibility

The Commission said it had received reports from all 38 District Election Officers, backed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar. These lists are also being made physically available.

“The lists have also been posted at Panchayat Bhavans, block development offices and panchayat offices,” the affidavit noted.

To ensure residents can check their names and seek clarification, the ECI has tasked Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents with distributing the lists in both rural and urban areas.

“In addition to this, the BLOs/BLAs are also in possession of the said list and they are available (to) the residents of such villages and urban areas to enable inquiry about the reasons for their non-inclusion and also to seek assistance and for filing claims/objections/corrections by procedure prescribed by SIR Order dated June 24, 2025,” the ECI said.

Public Awareness Drive

The ECI said it has used multiple platforms to spread the word about the availability of the lists.

“Publicity has been given in newspapers having wide circulation in the state of Bihar, and also through radio, electronic and social media, including social media accounts of the DEOs,” it told the court.

People whose names have been removed can raise objections by filing claims and must attach a copy of their Aadhaar card as proof.

Court’s Earlier Direction

On August 14, court asked the Commission to upload the names of all 65 lakh voters deleted during the revision process along with the reasons for deletion. Today’s hearing will review the Commission’s compliance with that order.