99.8% of Bihar voters turned in forms before deadline: EC | India News
NEW DELHI: Over 7.2 crore electors in Bihar – covering 99.8% of state’s electorate after accounting for 64 lakh electors reported deceased, permanently migrated, untraceable or registered at more than one location – turned in their signed enumeration forms before the deadline for first phase of SIR expired on Friday, earning themselves a place in the draft electoral roll to be published on Aug 1. Enumeration forms of 1.2 lakh electors were not received.Stating that the 7.23 crore electors had expressed “full faith in the special intensive revision process with their active participation”, EC on Friday announced that all the 7.23 crore forms received had been digitised.“The digitisation of forms, along with booth level officer (BLO) reports, of the remaining electors will also be completed by August 1, 2025,” the poll panel added. Sources said these “remaining electors” include the 22 lakh electors reported as deceased, 7 lakh as registered at more than one place, 35 lakh as permanently shifted or untraceable, by the BLOs and 1.6 lakh booth level agents of 12 political parties. None of them will be in the draft electoral roll, though any elector or political party can file claims with the electoral registration officer (ERO) for anyone mistakenly left out by the BLO, between August 1 and September 1, 2025. During the same one-month period, they can file objections for removal of any of the 7.23 crore electors they view as ineligible.A parallel exercise is also going for first-time enrolments and those enrolling after shifting from outside of Bihar. EC is likely to undertake a drive in August to register new/shifted voters. Those seeking fresh enrolment must fill Form 6 and the ones shifting from outside Bihar, Form 8. In both cases, the applicants must attach a declaration form stating that they are citizens of India and attach documents establishing their date and place of birth; and where required, that of their parents as well. If born outside India, they must also attach proof of birth registration issued by the Indian mission abroad or their certification of registration of citizenship acquired by naturalisation.EC on Friday said the credit for successful completion of first phase of SIR goes to the Bihar chief electoral officer (CEO), 38 district election officers, 243 EROs, 2,976 Assistant EROs 77,895 BLOs and volunteers; besides all 12 political parties, their 38 district presidents and 1.6 lakh BLAs.
