Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls – Bihar (2025)
SIR in Bihar was brought mainly to identify illegal migrants, verify citizenship-related documents, and update local records because the government believed that:
1. Large number of suspected illegal immigrants
-
Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and people from Bangladesh and Nepal often move across states.
-
The government suspected that large numbers of illegal migrants were living in certain districts, especially border or sensitive areas.
2. To check misuse of welfare schemes
-
Many people without proper documents were suspected to be taking:
-
PDS (ration)
-
Housing benefits
-
Scholarships
-
Caste certificates
-
-
SIR helps verify who is genuinely eligible.
3. To prevent fake voters and bogus documents
-
There were reports that some people with no citizenship proof:
-
got voter IDs
-
got Aadhaar
-
obtained residence certificates
-
SIR helps detect such fraud.
4. To maintain updated population and migration data
-
Bihar has high migration (people moving in and out for work).
-
SIR helps the state understand:
-
which communities are growing
-
who has moved
-
who has settled illegally
-
5. To improve internal security
-
Some districts (e.g., Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Katihar) are sensitive due to:
-
border proximity
-
cross-border smuggling
-
suspected extremist movement
-
SIR helps track suspicious individuals.
Example: Araria District
Suppose the Bihar government receives reports like:
-
Many people living in a village have no birth certificate, no land record, and their names suddenly appear in voter lists.
-
A few of them are found to be migrants from Bangladesh who entered through West Bengal years ago.
-
Some of them even got ration cards and are taking government benefits.
✔️ What SIR does in this situation?
SIR officers go to the village and check:
-
House-to-house survey
-
Who is living here?
-
Since when?
-
Do they have proof of birth/residence?
-
-
Document verification
-
Aadhaar
-
Voter ID
-
School records
-
Land papers
-
-
Mismatch detection
-
25 families have NO valid proof
-
Their Aadhaar was based only on “introducer method”
-
No school records
-
No land records
-
-
Report prepared
-
These families may be illegal immigrants
-
Their documents may need cancellation or re-verification
-
They cannot receive benefits until verification is complete
-
📌 Important:
SIR does not take away citizenship — it only identifies doubtful cases and sends them for further legal process.
Introduction
Imagine elections happening with wrong voter lists —
some real voters missing, some dead people still voting,
and some having names in two places.
To fix these serious errors, the Election Commission of India re-checks the entire voter list by visiting every house.
👉 This full-scale verification is called Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
It makes sure:
-
All eligible people are included ✔
-
All wrong/duplicate entries are removed ❌
-
The voter list becomes accurate and trustworthy 🔒
Why is this being done?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) started a Special Intensive Revision in Bihar to make sure the voter list is correct, updated, and includes all eligible voters.
➡️ The last time Bihar got such a detailed revision was in 2003 (22 years ago).
What is an Electoral Roll?
It is the official list of all people who are eligible to vote in a particular area.
✔ Also called: Voter List / Electoral Register
Example:
If you live in Patna constituency, your name must be on the Patna voter list to vote there.
Types of Electoral Roll Revision
| Type of Revision | How it is done? | Why it is used? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Intensive Revision | House-to-house visit; new voter list made fresh from scratch | When old voter lists are outdated or full of errors | Before major elections or after change in constituencies |
| 2️⃣ Summary Revision | Only updates in the existing voter list; no home visits | Annual routine corrections | Add newly 18+ voters, delete dead persons |
| 3️⃣ Special Revision | Done only in special cases if something big went wrong | To fix missed areas, technical errors | If large number of names were wrongly deleted |
💡 Key difference:
-
Intensive = full rebuild
-
Summary = small updates
-
Special = emergency fixes
Why is Bihar’s revision called “Special Intensive”?
Because it is using both methods together + one new rule.
✔ Door-to-door checking like Intensive Revision
✔ Existing voter list used to distribute forms like Summary Revision
✔ New requirement: People must show documents during house visits itself
➡️ This never happened before in India
📌 This flexibility is allowed under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
→ It gives ECI the power to revise rolls “in any manner it thinks fit”.
Why is this important?
-
Bihar’s voter list has many old errors
-
Many voters have moved away (migration issue)
-
This is a fresh check after 22 years
Example: A family living in Gaya may have shifted long back, but their names may still be on the list → causing duplicate voters.
History of Intensive Revisions
Earlier intensive revisions happened in:
1952–56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983–84, 1987–89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004
💡 Every time, the purpose was different → fixing errors, migration issues, boundary changes (delimitation), etc.
Background of SIR in Bihar (2025)
1️⃣ Very old and inaccurate voter list
-
Bihar’s last full revision of voter rolls happened in 2003
-
After 22 years, many names are:
✔ Dead persons
✔ People who shifted to another place
✔ Duplicate names
❌ Many eligible voters still missing
➡️ So the voter list is not trustworthy anymore.
2️⃣ High migration in Bihar
-
Bihar has one of the highest migration rates in India
→ Many people move to other states for work -
Their names remain on the Bihar list, even though they no longer live there
➡️ This creates fake or duplicate voters, affecting fair elections.
Example:
A person moves from Muzaffarpur to Delhi for 5 years.
Still, their name remains in Bihar’s voter list = wrong record.
3️⃣ Complaints of large-scale errors
-
Leaders, political parties, and citizens complained that:
❌ Many eligible voters’ names were not in the list
❌ Some constituencies had abnormal voter numbers
❌ Wrong addresses and incorrect details
➡️ People were unable to vote properly.
4️⃣ Fair election preparation
-
Bihar will have major elections soon (Lok Sabha 2029 & Assembly 2025 cycle)
-
Before such big elections → the voter list must be clean and correct
➡️ A simple update (Summary Revision) is not enough.
5️⃣ Need for house-to-house verification
-
Errors are so huge that only door-to-door checking can fix it
-
Enumerators will meet every household and verify:
✔ Age
✔ Address
✔ Nationality (Indian citizen)
✔ Documents of identity
➡️ This guarantees accuracy and transparency.
Easy Exam Point Summary
| Problem | Why SIR is needed |
|---|---|
| Old voter list (22 years) | Huge outdated information |
| High migration in Bihar | Duplicate and wrong entries |
| Complaints of errors | Missing genuine voters |
| Big elections ahead | Must ensure free & fair elections |
How migration creates duplicate voters (Detailed Example)
Step-by-step story
🧍Person: Ravi Kumar
-
Originally lived in Gaya, Bihar
-
His name is correctly listed in the Gaya voter list
📌 Voter record example:
📍 Constituency: Gaya
Name: Ravi Kumar
Age: 22
EPIC ID: XXXX1234
Then Ravi migrates
-
For job, Ravi moves to Delhi in 2021
-
He starts living in Karol Bagh, Delhi
Now two situations can happen:
Situation A: His name is NOT deleted in Bihar
Ravi applies for a voter ID in Delhi, because now he lives there permanently.
✔ His name gets added in Delhi’s voter roll
But ❌ his name still exists in Bihar’s roll (Gaya list)
So what happens now?
| Place | What exists? |
|---|---|
| Bihar (Gaya) | Ravi’s name still on the list |
| Delhi (Karol Bagh) | Ravi’s name newly added |
➡️ Ravi becomes a duplicate voter in two different constituencies
Why is this a problem?
-
Legally a person can have only ONE voter record where they live
-
But now, Ravi has two valid identities in two states
✔ He can vote in Delhi
❌ Someone else (or illegally he himself) may vote in Bihar using his old entry
📌 This increases chances of bogus voting / election fraud
Situation B: Ravi never updates his voter ID
-
Ravi originally lived in Gaya, Bihar
-
His name is correctly present in Gaya’s voter list ✔
-
Later, he moves permanently to Delhi for work
But:
❌ He does not register in Delhi
❌ He does not delete his Bihar entry
So:
| Place | Where he really lives | Where his name is in voter roll |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar (Gaya) | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| Delhi | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
He continues using his Bihar voter ID
BUT he is not living in Bihar anymore.
At election time:
-
Someone may use his card from Bihar (fraud) OR
-
He travels to Bihar only to vote (illegal if he doesn’t reside there)
Why is this a problem?
ECI’s rule says:
A voter must be enrolled only where they actually reside.
Here, the voter list incorrectly assumes Ravi is still living in Gaya.
➡️ This makes Bihar’s roll inaccurate and inflated.
Even if Ravi returns to Bihar to vote and casts his vote genuinely
→ the entry is still wrong because he is no longer a resident there.
✔️ If Ravi comes to Bihar and votes
Then yes — his vote is genuine
Because he is the real person behind that name.
➡️ In this case, it is not a ghost vote.
You are absolutely right here. 👌
But the problem is not whether Ravi votes…
The problem is that the voter list shows Ravi as a resident of Bihar,
even though in reality he does not live there anymore.
📌 In electoral roll rules — you must be registered only where you actually reside.
So even though Ravi votes himself,
➡️ His entry is wrong (outdated information)
And outdated entries = risk.
REAL ISSUE (Short)
Not that Ravi votes…
But that the system assumes Ravi still lives in Bihar and counts him as a Bihar voter.
➡️ This inflates Bihar’s voter numbers
➡️ Makes the voter list fake-like, not accurate
Risk of Ghost Entries
When Ravi does not return to vote:
-
His name remains in the voter list
-
Someone else can misuse it for bogus voting
-
Booth officials may not realize the voter is fake
📌 These “not living here anymore” names are called:
👉 Ghost entries / deadwood voters
➡️ This is also a duplicate presence, even though only one ID is issued.
Why Bihar is badly affected?
-
Bihar has lakhs of migrant workers in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, Punjab etc.
-
Their names remain in Bihar rolls even after 5–10 years
📌 So the actual population ≠ voter list population
Example:
A street in Patna has only 50 houses but voter list shows 500 voters
because many names are of people who left years ago.
Constitutional & Legal Basis of Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar by using its legal powers from:
📌 1️⃣ Article 324 of the Constitution of India
📌 2️⃣ Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950
These two together give the full legal authority to the ECI to revise electoral rolls.
🔹 Article 324 – What does it say?
👉 Article 324 gives the Election Commission the complete power to manage everything about elections in India.
This includes:
✔ Making the voter list
✔ Updating and correcting the voter list
✔ Conducting free & fair elections
💡 In simple words:
“ECI is the boss of elections in India.”
Example:
If there is any confusion about laws or procedures, the final decision is taken by the Election Commission to protect fairness.
🔹 Section 21 of Representation of the People Act, 1950
This Section explains how electoral rolls must be prepared and revised.
Let’s simplify the clauses shown in your image:
Section 21(1)
-
The voter list must be prepared using a qualifying date
(Example: 01 July 2025 — age must be 18+ on this date) -
The list becomes official after final publication
➡️ Meaning: A person’s eligibility to vote depends on age as on the qualifying date.
Section 21(2)(a)
Revision must happen:
1️⃣ Before every Lok Sabha election
2️⃣ Before every State Assembly election
3️⃣ Before by-elections (to fill a single seat)
➡️ Meaning: Before important elections, the voter list must be updated.
Section 21(2)(b)
ECI can also order revision in any year if needed
➡️ Example: Normal annual summary revision (Jan-Feb every year)
Section 21(3) – Key for SIR
This is the MOST IMPORTANT part 👇
It allows ECI to order a Special Revision at any time,
in any manner it thinks fit, if there are valid reasons.
➡️ Meaning:
ECI can choose how to revise the voter list
→ Summary
→ Intensive
→ Mixed (like current SIR in Bihar)
💡 This is the legal basis for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.
Why is this relevant to Bihar SIR?
| Legal Provision | What it allows for Bihar |
|---|---|
| Article 324 | ECI has full authority over elections |
| Section 21(3) | ECI can revise voter list in any special manner — like SIR |
| Qualifying date (01.07.2025) | Anyone turning 18 by this date must be included |
📌 This is why the process is called Special Intensive —
because ECI is using its special powers under Section 21(3).
Very short exam summary
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar is legally backed by Article 324 of the Constitution, which empowers the Election Commission to supervise electoral rolls and elections. It is also supported by Section 21 of the RPA, 1950, which prescribes preparation and revision of electoral rolls. Under Section 21(3), the ECI can conduct a special revision in any manner it considers suitable. Using this discretionary power, ECI has ordered a hybrid revision in Bihar with qualifying date 01.07.2025 to ensure accuracy, inclusiveness, and integrity of electoral rolls.
Objective of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – Why is it needed?
Maintaining a clean and correct voter list is essential for free & fair elections.
Main Objectives
1️⃣ Include all eligible citizens in the voter list
→ So every eligible person can vote (Right to Vote)
2️⃣ Remove all ineligible names
→ People who are dead, shifted, foreigners, etc. should not remain on rolls
3️⃣ Make the whole process transparent
→ Every addition / deletion must be properly checked and verified
✔ No secret changes
✔ Political parties kept informed
Reasons for SIR (Why now?)
| Reason | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Rapid Urbanisation | Cities change fast → addresses change → rolls become outdated quickly |
| Frequent Migration | People move to other districts/states for work → old names still remain |
| New 18+ Voters | Many new youth must be added every year |
| Deaths not reported | Names of deceased still continue in list, causing bogus risk |
| Foreign Illegal Immigrants | Non-citizens may get included → affects the purity of voter list |
📌 Goal: Make Bihar’s voter roll complete + correct + clean
How is SIR conducted? (Process)
ECI strictly follows:
-
Article 326 → Eligibility: Indian citizen + 18 years + ordinary resident
-
Section 16, RPA 1950 → Disqualifications: Unsound mind, non-citizen, etc.
✏️ Step-by-step process 👇
Stage 1: Preparation of Records
✔ Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) download existing voter list
✔ They print pre-filled Enumeration Forms (EF)
→ These forms already have the current voter’s name, age, address, etc.
📌 This saves time — no need to write everything again.
Stage 2: House-to-House Visit (Main Verification Stage)
✔ Booth Level Officers (BLOs) go to every household
✔ They give EF forms to each voter and help people fill correct details
📌 THIS IS WHERE DOCUMENT VERIFICATION HAPPENS
Voters must show documents to prove:
-
Age (✔ Eligible = 18+)
-
Citizenship (✔ Indian only)
-
Residence (✔ Ordinary resident of that address)
Documents (Aadhaar, mark card, rental proof, electricity bill, etc.) are:
→ checked by BLO at the doorstep
→ uploaded to ECINET
This is the new and special feature of SIR 🚩
Earlier: documents were not checked at home
✔ Political party agents (BLAs) also accompany → ensures transparency
🧓 Special attention to:
old persons, PwDs, sick, poor, vulnerable groups
→ Volunteers deployed for help
Stage 3: Submission of forms
Voters can submit EF:
✔ To BLO (with supporting documents)
OR
✔ Upload online (website / ECINET)
BLO collects the form + documents
📌 Key idea:
The details written by the voter in EF must be Matched/Proved with documents.
Example:
-
EF says age = 24 → Check with Aadhaar/DOB proof
-
EF says address = Patna → Check with rental bill or family ID
-
EF says Indian citizen → See valid ID proof
➡️ If data matches → entry accepted
➡️ If mismatch → correction done or rejected
📌 New feature in SIR → Documents required at the verification stage itself
Stage 4: Supervisory checks
✔ BLO Supervisor checks how well BLO is doing
→ Both quality (correctness) & quantity (coverage)
Stage 5: Draft Electoral Roll Publication
✔ All forms received → Draft voter list prepared
✔ Uploaded on websites
✔ Copies given to all political parties
➡️ Public can see & object
Stage 6: Claims & Objections
Anyone (citizen/party) can file:
-
Claim → Add missing eligible voter
-
Objection → Remove ineligible voter
✔ AERO investigates these complaints
Example:
– If a genuine voter got deleted → he can claim
– If a dead person’s name is still there → others can object
Stage 7: Final Electoral Roll
After all complaints are decided →
✔ ERO publishes the Final Voter List
✔ Given to political parties and uploaded online
Stage 8: Appeal System (Legal Remedy)
If someone disagrees with ERO’s decision:
→ First appeal: District Magistrate (under Section 24)
→ Second appeal: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)
➡️ This ensures fairness & no one’s rights are violated
Verification & Transparency Measures in SIR
| Provision | What it means? | Why it is important? |
|---|---|---|
| Section 23, RPA 1950 | ERO must personally verify whether a person is eligible to be a voter | Prevents fake/ineligible voters |
| Documents uploaded on ECINET | Proof documents are now uploaded digitally | Ensures transparency – decisions can be checked later |
| Access to only authorised officers | Public cannot view others’ documents | Protects privacy and prevents misuse |
💡 New in SIR → Document-based verification at door-step
➡️ Strengthens credibility & reduces impersonation
Arguments in Favour of SIR (Benefits)
1️⃣ Electoral Integrity
-
Duplicate, fake, and dead voters are removed
-
Corrects errors in the voter list
✔ Protects the principle: “One person, one vote”
Example:
If one person had two entries (two addresses), one will be deleted → ensures fairness.
2️⃣ Responds to Demographic Change
-
Rapid migration & urban shifting make old rolls inaccurate
-
SIR updates the list based on current residence
Example:
People shifting from villages to Patna → new address gets updated.
3️⃣ Legal & Constitutional Support
-
Uses powers under:
✔ Article 326 – right to vote
✔ Sections 16, 23, 24 – eligibility, verification, appeals -
Document upload on ECINET → more accountability, less manipulation
→ But privacy protected since only officials can view documents
4️⃣ Precedent & Regular Practice
-
Not a new concept → already done many times in Indian history
(1952–56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983–84, 1987–89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004) -
SIR is just a more detailed version because Bihar needs deeper correction
5️⃣ Improves Public Trust
-
People see that voter list is clean and correct
-
Reduces fear of bogus voting
-
Makes elections feel fairer and more credible
Arguments Against SIR (Concerns & Criticism)
1️⃣ Extra Burden on Voters
Earlier: Objectors had to prove someone is wrong
Now: Voter must prove he is correct with documents
➡️ More stress on citizens
2️⃣ Strict Documents may Exclude Poor & Minorities
-
Documents like birth certificates are rare in rural Bihar
-
Even those with Aadhaar or Voter ID may still be asked for more proof
➡️ Risk of disenfranchisement of:-
Poor
-
Muslims
-
Marginalised groups
-
Example:
A 65-year-old villager has EPIC card but no birth certificate → may lose the right to vote.
3️⃣ Documents can be Forged
-
None of the 11 approved proofs are 100% secure
-
Forgery can still happen → genuine voters may get wrongly excluded
4️⃣ Arbitrary “Post-2003” Cut-off
-
Only names added after 2003 face strict checks
-
Critics say this cut-off is illogical and has no legal basis
5️⃣ Political Timing & Targeting
-
SIR only in Bihar
-
Just before upcoming elections
➡️ Opposition alleges that certain communities are being targeted
➡️ Could influence voting outcomes
6️⃣ Transparency Issues
-
Initially, deletion of 65 lakh names was not fully disclosed
-
Opposition demanded the list to ensure fairness
-
Supreme Court intervened → directed details to be published
✔ CEO Bihar has now published deletion data
➡️ Shows lack of initial openness
7️⃣ Weak Record-Keeping by Government
-
Many old births, deaths, and residence records were never maintained properly
➡️ People cannot provide the required proofs
➡️ Government failure passed onto citizens
8️⃣ Inter-generational Document Gaps
-
Older generations never held documents
-
Their children also suffer from missing records
➡️ Risk of exclusion becoming permanent in vulnerable communities
Balanced Conclusion for Mains
SIR in Bihar is a major step toward ensuring accuracy, transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral roll. While its legal foundation is strong and its intentions are democratic, strict documentation and timing issues raise concerns of exclusion and political misuse. For true electoral integrity, the process must remain transparent, non-discriminatory and supportive of vulnerable citizens.
ECINET – New Digital Platform of Election Commission of India
What is ECINET?
-
A single digital platform created by the Election Commission of India (ECI)
-
Helps voters and all stakeholders (officials, political parties, civil society)
-
Makes election-related services simple, fast, and centralised
💡 Think of ECINET as one app for everything related to elections.
Features
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Integrates 40+ older apps & portals | No confusion of multiple apps |
| Can be used on mobile & computer | Easy access for everyone |
| Only authorized ECI officials can input data | Ensures accuracy & prevents misuse |
| Legal compliance with RPA 1950/1951 & Election Rules | Protects voter rights & data |
Apps merged into ECINET include:
✔ Voter Helpline App
✔ Voter Turnout App
✔ cVIGIL
✔ Suvidha 2.0
✔ ESMS
✔ Saksham
✔ KYC App
…and many more
📌 Now all these will work inside ECINET as one unified system.
Why ECINET is important?
✔ Single-point platform
✔ Faster access to voter services
✔ Clean and accurate data
✔ More transparency in voter list changes
✔ Modern technology for election management
Example:
Previously: People had to use different apps for complaints, voter ID, information, etc.
Now: All services available in one place.
Implementation
-
Successfully used in recent bye-elections in:
-
Kerala
-
Gujarat
-
Punjab
-
West Bengal
-
➡️ Shows that the system is already functional & tested
Relationship with SIR
-
ECINET plays a major role in Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
-
All voter verification documents are uploaded digitally → transparency
-
Helps remove fake/duplicate entries easily
📌 Note:
SIR is not only in Bihar.
ECI has announced country-wide intensive verification after more than 20 years.
Bihar is the first state because its Assembly elections are coming soon.
✅ Which states currently have SIR
-
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the second phase of SIR on 27 October 2025, covering 12 States and Union Territories (UTs). DD News
-
The 12 are: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and West Bengal. News On Air
-
So currently: 12 states/UTs are undergoing SIR (phase-II) across India. DD News
(Note: SIR had earlier begun in Bihar in 2025 — first as state-level intensive revision. Now ECI has expanded the drive nationally.)
❌ Misconception
“SIR removes a person’s citizenship if they fail document verification.”
This is WRONG.
✅ Correct Understanding
SIR has NOTHING to do with citizenship status.
It only checks voter eligibility for the Electoral Roll.
📌 Citizenship is decided by law, not by electoral roll revision.
Even if someone’s name is removed from the voter list:
➡️ They remain an Indian citizen
➡️ Their other rights remain (Aadhaar, PAN, education, property, etc.)
➡️ Only voting right (franchise) gets affected temporarily
One-Line Clarity for Students
“SIR may remove names from the voter list, but it cannot remove anyone’s citizenship — it only corrects where the person should vote.”
🧑🏫 Teacher Tip
“Citizenship is given by Indian Constitution & Citizenship Act.
Voting right is given by Electoral Roll rules.
They are not the same.”
