ECI Informs SC: 90.12% Voter Forms Collected in Bihar Ahead of Polls

· ECI confirms over 7.11 crore forms gathered in Bihar under Special Intensive Revision.

·  Draft roll on Aug 1; voters can still apply for inclusion until Sept 1.

· ECI calls claims of disenfranchisement baseless, says process ensures inclusion with due checks.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported to the Supreme Court that, as a result of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, it has been able to collect enumeration forms from 90.12% of electors in the state.

 In its affidavit to the top court, the ECI reported that till July 18, forms from 7.11 crore of the 7.89 crore enrolled voters in Bihar have been received. Considering deceased people, voters who have permanently moved away, and double enrollments, the commission reported that the SIR process has actually reached 94.68% of the overall electorate.

The ECI reiterated that the SIR is being performed under the sole legally established procedure for a valid, ground-level verification of electoral rolls and was launched to re-establish public confidence and purify the rolls of ineligible entries names of those who are dead, have moved permanently, and are non-citizens. The affidavit stated that all political parties have agreed on the SIR and are actively collaborating in its timely implementation.

Reacting to complaints made by petitioners over the timing of such a large-scale exercise in a poll-going state, the ECI clarified that the SIR is a part of a countrywide campaign and Bihar, scheduled to go to poll in mid-November, was chosen to start the process so that the voter list is correct.

Also Read- Devendra Fadnavis Vows to Revoke SC Status for Non-Hindu Communities

Declaring the petitions against the SIR "premature" and "baseless," the ECI denied allegations of wrongful exclusion of citizens. "The Special Intensive Revisionis an inclusionary exercise, not exclusionary," the affidavit clarified, saying that there are multiple safeguards throughout every stage and no elector's name will be removed without due process, including chances to be heard.

The Commission condemned the use of newspaper reports to back up the petitions as misleading and factually incorrect. "It is well settled that newspaper clippings cannot be regarded as cogent evidence. The narrative constructed from such reports is meant to make scornful remarks against the ECI and mislead the public," the affidavit stated.

The ECI also reaffirmed its focus on safeguarding the interests of vulnerable sections of society like the old, poor, ailing, and marginalized. Special volunteer officers have been posted to help these sections in filing documents and filling forms. All persons who filed the enumeration form, even without submitting supporting documents, will be covered in the draft roll to be published on August 1. Persons who cannot file forms within that time can still apply for covering by submitting a claim and required declarations.

The Commission further stated that the window for claims will be open for 31 days after the draft roll is issued, up to September 1, 2025. The final electoral roll will be brought out on September 30. Significantly, the ECI said even after the final roll is brought out, new voters can be included up to the last date of nomination for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

"The process is meant to maximize inclusion. Any such idea of mass disenfranchisement is entirely baseless and misleading," the ECI concluded.