Concerns have been raised regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. Critics have cited discrepancies, including the alleged inclusion of deceased individuals and the omission of living citizens from the voter list. In a recent development, Tejashwi Yadav, the CM candidate for Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and son of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, claimed that his name was missing from the Election Commission’s draft voter list. He stated he had filled out the necessary enumeration form during the special revision. The Janata Dal (United) responded to his allegations, accusing him of misleading the public.
Addressing a press conference, Tejashwi Yadav explained that despite completing the enumeration form, his name and details were not accessible in the system, even after providing his Elector’s Photo Identification Card (EPIC) number. The Patna district administration, however, countered his claims, clarifying that his name was indeed registered but his polling station and serial number had been altered. Tejashwi Yadav questioned the widespread impact of these changes, suggesting a potential conspiracy to remove names from the voter list. JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar labeled Tejashwi Yadav a “political fraud.” The Election Commission refuted the allegations, stating that Tejashwi Yadav’s name is present in the draft electoral roll. The situation has heightened political tension in Bihar, particularly with the elections approaching. The draft electoral roll for Bihar was made public with only a fraction of the 7.23 crore applicants submitting required documents so far. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Roll is a voter list verification process currently underway in Bihar. Objections regarding discrepancies in the electoral roll can be filed from August 1st to September 1st, 2025. The last intensive revision in Bihar was conducted in 2003. Voters can check their details on the ECI website.
