Over 3.5 Million Names to Be Deleted Before 2025 State Polls

Bihar faces a political storm as the Election Commission plans to delete 35.5 lakh names from the voter list ahead of 2025 polls, citing deaths, migration, and duplicates; opposition alleges bias.

Patna, July 17, 2025: Bihar is witnessing one of the most significant pre-election voter list revisions in recent memory, sparking widespread political controversy and legal battles. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that as part of its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, approximately 35.5 lakh (3.55 million) names will be deleted from the voter list.

The move, just months before the crucial 2025 Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November–December, has triggered an intense political storm. Opposition parties allege a targeted disenfranchisement campaign, while the ECI insists it is a routine exercise to ensure a clean, updated voter list.

What Is Happening and Why?

The controversy began on June 24, 2025, when the ECI launched a statewide Special Intensive Revision (SIR), an exercise mandated before major elections. The goal:

• Remove names of deceased voters
• Eliminate duplicate entries
• Delete names of migrants who have left Bihar
• Scrutinize alleged illegal entries by foreign nationals

According to official figures:

• 12.5 lakh (1.25 million) names belong to deceased voters
• 17.5 lakh (1.75 million) are migrants who no longer reside in Bihar
• 5.5 lakh (0.55 million) are duplicate entries

ECI officials emphasize that no voter will be removed without proper verification and an opportunity to appeal.

The deadline for filing voter verification forms is July 25, 2025, and the final electoral roll will be published on September 30, 2025.

The Scale and Numbers

Bihar has:

• Population: ~13 crore (130 million)
• Registered voters: 7.6 crore (76 million)

As of mid-July:

• 6.6 crore voters (88%) have completed verification
• Around 1 crore voters remain unverified

Opposition claims that the final purge could disenfranchise up to 2 crore voters, an allegation the ECI calls "misleading."

Foreign Nationals Under Scanner

Adding fuel to the controversy are reports of foreign nationals—mainly from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—illegally enrolled in Bihar’s voter rolls using forged documents.

• Officials revealed that during field verification, multiple cases of non-citizens with Indian IDs were detected.
• These names will be removed only after detailed inquiry confirms fraudulent enrollment, the ECI clarified.

Opposition's Concerns and Allegations

The INDIA bloc—comprising RJD, Congress, Left parties, and NCP—has strongly opposed the revision exercise. Their main objections include:

1. Timing and Intent

• The revision comes just months before the Assembly polls.
• "Why was this not done last year?" asked opposition leaders, alleging ulterior motives.

2. Targeted Disenfranchisement

• Opposition accuses the ECI of focusing on minority and marginalized communities, particularly Muslims, Dalits, and migrant workers.
• Alleged leniency in upper-caste urban areas, while minority-dominated regions face aggressive scrutiny.

3. Documentation Hurdles

• Initially, the ECI did not accept Aadhaar, voter ID, or ration cards as valid proof, creating difficulties for poorer voters.
• The Supreme Court later advised the ECI to accept these documents, after which norms were relaxed.

Some opposition leaders have compared the process to Assam’s NRC (National Register of Citizens), which excluded 19 lakh people, calling this a “silent disenfranchisement drive”.

Supreme Court Intervention

Petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the exercise.

• On July 10, 2025, the Court refused to halt the revision, citing the ECI’s constitutional mandate, but expressed concern about timing.
• The Court advised the ECI to accept Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid proof of residence.
• The next hearing is scheduled for July 28, 2025.

Following criticism and judicial advice, the ECI relaxed documentation norms, allowing multiple ID options and promising an appeal mechanism for voters whose names may be removed.

Political and Social Implications

High-Stakes Impact

• Bihar elections often witness thin winning margins—sometimes as low as a few hundred votes.
• Removing 35 lakh names could alter results in dozens of constituencies.

Opposition's Charge

• Allegation: The ruling BJP-JD(U) alliance is manipulating the voter list to gain advantage.
• Claim: Up to 2 crore voters could lose their right to vote, disproportionately impacting minority and opposition strongholds.

ECI's Stand

• “This is a routine pre-election preparedness measure. Our goal is to remove outdated entries and ensure fair elections,” an ECI spokesperson said.
• “No voter will be removed without verification and an appeal process,” the Commission reiterated.

Ground-Level Challenges

Reports from the field indicate:

• Poorly trained booth-level officers, leading to confusion.
• Elderly citizens and daily wage laborers struggling with paperwork.
• Allegations of harassment in minority-dominated areas.

Key Dates

• June 24, 2025: SIR process started
• July 25, 2025: Deadline for voter verification form submission
• July 28, 2025: Supreme Court hearing
• September 30, 2025: Final electoral rolls to be published.

Why This Matters Beyond Bihar

Political analysts warn that this exercise could set a precedent for other states. If Bihar’s revision leads to large-scale deletions, similar drives could follow in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand—states with significant migrant and minority populations.

A Battle for Democracy or Electoral Manipulation?

With less than six months to go before Bihar votes, the voter list controversy has become the single biggest pre-election issue in the state.

• For the ECI, this is about electoral integrity.
• For opposition parties, it’s about protecting citizens’ right to vote.

The coming weeks—especially the Supreme Court’s July 28 hearing and the final voter list publication on September 30—will be decisive. What remains clear: Bihar’s 2025 elections are no longer just about jobs, caste, or governance—they’re now about the very right to vote.