As Bihar gears up for its Assembly elections in October-November 2025, a political storm has erupted over the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
While the ECI maintains that the revision is a routine and necessary exercise, opposition parties in Bihar—particularly the RJD-Congress-led INDIA bloc—have raised serious objections, alleging that the move is politically motivated and could disenfranchise large sections of the electorate.
What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is a door-to-door verification process initiated by the ECI to update Bihar’s electoral rolls, which were last comprehensively revised in 2003.
The process involves:
- Voters signing enumeration forms with their details and submitting fresh photographs.
- Those added to the rolls after 2003 must provide additional documentation, including proof of birth and parentage.
- The revision is being carried out by over 1 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), supported by 4 lakh volunteers and thousands of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from political parties.
Opposition’s Key Concerns
- Timing and Targeting – Opposition leaders argue that the timing of the SIR—just months before the state elections—is suspicious. They question why Bihar, an election-bound state, was chosen as the first and only state for this revision, despite the ECI’s claim that the process will eventually be extended nationwide.
- Disenfranchisement of Marginalized Communities
The INDIA bloc alleges that the SIR disproportionately affects:
- Muslims, especially in the Seemanchal region, where they constitute nearly 50% of the population.
- Dalits and migrant workers, who may lack the required documentation.
- Voters added post-2003, who now face stricter verification requirements.
Seemanchal, comprising districts like Purnea, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria, holds around 25 Assembly seats and is a stronghold for opposition parties. They fear that the revision could lead to mass deletions of voters from this region.
- Lack of Consultation and Transparency
Opposition leaders, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have criticized the ECI for not consulting political parties before launching the SIR. Owaisi also claimed that the process violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. - Legal and Constitutional Challenges
The issue has reached the Supreme Court, which is set to hear petitions challenging the ECI’s decision on July 10, 2025. Petitioners argue that the SIR lacks legal safeguards and could be used to manipulate the voter base in favor of the ruling NDA.
The Election Commission’s Defense
The ECI has defended the SIR as:
- Lawful and constitutional, conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act.
- Necessary to address migration, urbanization, and duplicate entries in the voter rolls.
- Aimed at ensuring that only eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls.
Political Fallout
The controversy has led to:
- Bandhs and protests organized by opposition parties across Bihar.
- Accusations from the BJP that the opposition is trying to protect illegal infiltrators, including Rohingyas, by resisting the clean-up of voter rolls.
- Heightened political polarization ahead of the elections.
Conclusion
The SIR in Bihar has become a flashpoint in the state’s pre-election landscape. While the Election Commission insists it is a routine administrative exercise, the opposition sees it as a strategic move to tilt the electoral balance. With the matter now before the Supreme Court, its verdict could have far-reaching implications not just for Bihar, but for electoral practices across India.
