The Election Commission (EC) has said that it has received enumeration forms from 90.12% of Bihar’s voters as part of a special revision of the electoral roll. The deadline for submitting these forms is July 25. This special intensive revision (SIR) was launched in Bihar on June 25, a day after the EC issued the order, since the state is heading for Assembly elections.
The EC said, “We decided to conduct this exercise across the country, starting with Bihar.” All 7.8 crore registered voters in the state were asked to submit forms to be included in the draft roll to be released on August 1.
Over 36 lakh voters may be deceased or shifted
So far, 7.11 crore forms have been received and 6.85 crore digitised. But the EC said that 36.86 lakh voters (about 4.67% of the total) appear to be either deceased, permanently shifted, or registered in multiple places.
Additionally, 6,978 voters (0.01%) were marked as “not traceable”. The EC is now sharing these lists with political parties and their booth-level agents to verify their status before the July 25 deadline.
Next steps after draft roll
The EC further said that from August 1 to September 1, voters and political parties can file claims and objections on the draft list. Electoral Registration Officers will handle these by September 25. The final list will be published on September 30.
Printed and digital copies of the Final Electoral Roll will once again be provided free of cost to all recognised political parties and will also be published on the Election Commission of India’s website.
Booth agents allowed to submit 50 forms a day
“As per the SIR order, each of the more than 1.5 lakh BLAs (booth level agents) can submit up to 50 forms a day after certifying them. This step is in line with the ECI’s commitment that no eligible elector is left out,” the EC added.
Booth level officers (BLOs) told The Indian Express that they are aiming to finish the work “two-three days before” the July 25 deadline.