Following the Opposition’s restrictions against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of Bihar assembly polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has said that the process is going to be transparent and inclusive. The INDIA bloc is considering legal action and a statewide campaign against the SIR, which the Opposition claims could disenfranchise over two crore voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Kumar has reassured the public that the goal of the SIR is to include all eligible voters and remove ineligible ones, and not to exclude anyone unfairly.

“The implementation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar is running as per schedule with the active participation of all election staff and all political parties in a most transparent manner. Despite the apprehensions of some persons, SIR will ensure that all eligible persons will be included,” the CEC said in a statement.

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The poll body recently met with major political parties, including the Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party, DMK, along with others to explain the SIR process and address concerns. All parties were urged to appoint more Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to help voters and ensure transparency.

The revision of the electoral roll is in line with the Election Commission’s duty as per Article 326 of the Constitution, which requires only an Indian citizen above 18 and an ordinary resident in that constituency, unless disqualified, to be enrolled. Sources told India Today that the commission is deploying more than 1 lakh volunteers to assist the elderly, sick, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups in filling up their enumeration forms.

Despite the Opposition’s disapproval, Election Commission sources told India Today that the revision is mandatory prior to a parliamentary or assembly election or bypoll. The poll body has been conducting annual summary revisions for 75 years. As many as nine intensive revisions were undertaken between 1952 and 2004, involving an average six-year gap, but the latest has been pending for 22 years.

Five key phases in which the voter roll update will take place:

Phase One – June 25 to July 3:

Pre-filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) are being distributed door-to-door to 7.9 crore voters

Forms are also available online and through political parties

Phase Two – Till July 25:

Voters fill in and submit the forms

Four lakh volunteers (NCC cadets, NSS, government workers) in aid of the elderly, PwDs, and vulnerable groups

Phase Three – June 25 to July 26:

BLOs collect the forms, issue receipts, and upload data daily

Online submission option available

Phase Four – August 1:

Draft Electoral Roll published

Voters who didn’t submit forms won’t be on this draft

Parties get copies free of cost

Phase Five – August 1 to September 1:

The public can file claims or objections

All updates reviewed fairly, deletions without proper inquiry

Final list out on September 30, 2025

11 types of documents required for the verification process:

Identity card of regular employee or pensioner personnel

Passport

Any certificate issued by bank, post office, LIC, etc. before July 1, 1987

Birth certificate issued by competent authority

Educational certificate issued by recognised board or university

Permanent residence certificate

Forest rights certificate

Caste certificate

National Register of Citizens (NRC)

Certificate of any land or house allotted by government

Family register prepared by the state government or local authority

Key information for voters:

If a voter’s name was on the voter list in 2003, fewer documents are needed

New voters or those not listed in 2003, need documents to prove date of birth and place

Final list appeals can be made to the District Magistrate or Chief Electoral Officer

– Ends