The EC’s directive, issued on June 24, mandates that the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), District Election Officers (DEO), and Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) make hard copies of the 2003 electoral rolls available to all Booth Level Officers (BLOs). These lists have also been made public online to allow people to download them and use them as documentary evidence when submitting enumeration forms.

This step is considered crucial under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign currently underway in Bihar. According to the Commission, around 60% of voters will not need to submit documents. They will only have to verify their names and details in the 2003 list and fill out the enumeration form. This will streamline the process for both voters and BLOs, making it faster.

Furthermore, those whose names are not in the 2003 list can use the relevant sections of the same list to prove their parents’ names. In such cases, separate documents for parents will not be required. These voters will only need to submit their personal documents along with the enumeration form.

The revision is essential as the voter list is a dynamic document, undergoing continuous updates due to deaths, relocation, and the addition of new voters. Under Article 326 of the Constitution, Indian citizens aged 18 years or older, who are ordinary residents of the relevant constituency, are eligible to become voters.

The Election Commission has clarified that voters need to fill out the enumeration form and submit it with relevant documents to address issues of fake voters and include new voters. The Election Commission has asserted that no eligible voter will be excluded from this program.
Voters who receive the form from BLOs must provide details such as name, photo, address, EPIC number, Aadhaar number, date of birth, mobile number, and information about their parents. This information can also be filled online. This process was last conducted in Bihar in 2003. Those born before July 1, 1987, must provide a valid document to establish their date or place of birth.
The INDIA alliance is displeased with the Election Commission’s decision. The voter list revision is scheduled to continue until July 29. The opposition has demanded an immediate halt to the commission’s decision. The INDIA alliance may approach the Election Commission soon. Controversy surrounds the voter list in Bihar before the elections.

Tejashwi Yadav, former Deputy Chief Minister, alleged that this exercise aims to disenfranchise a large number of people by requesting documents that few possess, particularly marginalized communities such as Dalits, Muslims, and the backward classes.
AICC Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera stated that this is an open conspiracy, a robbery. This robbery is not just against the voters of Bihar but against their rights, their identity, and their citizenship. This is a conspiracy to eliminate the existence of the people of Bihar.

This process is underway in all 243 assembly constituencies in Bihar, with over 7.89 crore existing voters’ data being re-verified. The goal is to ensure the accuracy of the voter list, add eligible new voters, and remove ineligible names.

The ECI is providing both online and offline options for the convenience of voters. Voters can download and submit forms online through Voters.eci.gov.in using their EPIC number. Additionally, the ECINET mobile app will be launched soon to further simplify the online process.

Each BLO will provide voters with two copies of the enumeration form. Citizens must fill out the form, attach their latest photograph, and self-attest documents like birth certificates or school records to verify their date and place of birth. It is essential to obtain an Acknowledgement Receipt from the BLO upon submission.

SMS alerts are being sent to 5.74 crore registered mobile numbers in the state to inform voters about the campaign. Voters already included in the 2003 revised list only need to confirm their information.

The ECI has ensured the active participation of political parties in this campaign. 1,54,977 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been appointed in the state so far, with parties allowed to make further appointments.

The final list will be published on September 30th. In addition to the existing 77,895 BLOs, the commission has appointed 20,603 new BLOs. Moreover, over a lakh volunteers have been connected with this campaign who will help elderly, sick, disabled, and underprivileged voters. Following this extensive revision process, the final voter list will be published on September 30, 2025.

This campaign has sparked political controversy in Bihar. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has called it a ‘hidden NRC,’ while the ruling parties view it as the ECI’s strictness on past electoral malpractices. The ruling party states that this process is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and fairness.

The commission urges voters to keep their documents ready, stay in touch with BLOs, and verify their information on time to ensure their right to vote in the upcoming elections.