The Election Commission of India (ECI) has told the Supreme Court that no eligible voter in Bihar will be removed from the electoral rolls without prior notice and an opportunity to be heard. In an affidavit defending the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process ahead of the state assembly elections, the poll body said it would strictly follow the principles of natural justice, issuing detailed notices with reasons for proposed deletions and allowing voters to present documents before any final decision. The ECI emphasised that a two-tier appeal mechanism is in place to ensure no eligible elector is unfairly excluded.
Countering allegations from petitioners — including several Opposition leaders — that the revision process could disenfranchise lakhs of voters, particularly from marginalised groups, the Commission argued that the claims were false and intended to mislead the court. It said printed and digital copies of the draft roll have been provided to political parties and made available to the public for scrutiny between August 1 and September 1. The ECI also highlighted special measures, including awareness campaigns, repeated visits by Booth Level Officers, urban voter camps, and targeted outreach to young and migrant voters, to ensure maximum participation.
The poll body accused the petitioners of trying to tarnish its credibility by spreading “false narratives” in the media and urged the court to impose heavy costs for such attempts. It maintained that the SIR is a routine and essential exercise aimed at removing deceased, duplicate, or permanently shifted voters from the list. While several petitions challenge the process in court, the Commission insists it is taking every step to ensure fairness, transparency, and inclusivity ahead of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections, expected in October or November 2025.
