Despite criticism and worries expressed by opposition parties regarding possible voter exclusion, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar confirmed on Friday that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls is moving forward smoothly and according to schedule.
Kumar stressed the process's openness and inclusivity while speaking to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during a training session. "With the active participation of all election staff and all political parties in a transparent manner, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) implementation in Bihar is proceeding according to plan. SIR will make sure that everyone who qualifies is included, despite some people's concerns," he stated.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts the SIR, a targeted voter list update campaign, to confirm and enhance the electoral rolls' accuracy, particularly in the lead-up to significant elections. It entails online form submissions, house-to-house verification, and direct support from local volunteers and BLOs. Opposition parties, such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have criticised the initiative, claiming that it could be manipulated to remove the names of voters from underprivileged and marginalised communities. These parties worry that the exercise might disenfranchise vulnerable groups in society.
In response to these accusations, the ECI released a statement emphasising that the SIR is being conducted strictly in accordance with the law and the constitution. According to the ECI's official post, "the Commission stated that SIR is being conducted in accordance with provisions of Article 326, the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and instructions issued on 24.06.2025."
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Additionally, the Commission guaranteed that political parties' concerns would be fully addressed. Concerns about SIR were voiced by party representatives. The statement stated that the Commission had fully addressed every issue brought up by any member of a political party.
The ECI permitted both planned and unplanned meetings with representatives of political parties in an effort to uphold fairness and transparency. "The Commission decided to meet two representatives from each party in order to listen to all points of view, so some of the participants were given appointments, while others were permitted to join without any prior appointments," the statement continued.
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The ECI reaffirmed its determination to eliminate ineligible entries and guarantee that all eligible voters are included in the revision process. To guarantee their access to the electoral process, special provisions have also been made to help the elderly, people with disabilities, and those from lower-income groups.
18 leaders from 11 political parties recently met with Election Commission representatives to discuss the fairness and conduct of the SIR process in Bihar. Opposition parties continue to express concerns about potential bias or exclusion, and the exercise is still a source of contention. The ECI insists that the Special Intensive Revision is an essential and legally sound measure to ensure inclusive and clean voter rolls in advance of the next Bihar elections, notwithstanding these objections.
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