Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar Vinod Singh Gunjiyal has urged all voters in urban areas of the state to actively participate in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list as the campaign will conclude on 25 July.
In a press note issued on Saturday, Gunjiyal said that voter participation in this campaign has been encouraging in rural areas where about 77% of the enumeration forms have been collected so far.
In contrast, voter participation in urban areas has been relatively low. For example, the enumeration form collection percentages in various urban assembly constituencies are 64% in Digha Assembly Constituency, 67% in Kumhrar, 72% in Bankipur, 74.21% in Patna Sahib, 73% in Danapur, 69% in Gaya Town, 71% in Bhagalpur (Town) and 70% in Muzaffarpur (Town).
Gunjiyal said: “Not only the collection of enumeration forms is lower in urban areas, but the voter turnout percentage is also generally lower, which reflects a sense of apathy among urban voters toward the electoral process.”
He pointed out that pre-filled enumeration forms have been made available to all eligible voters in urban areas, of which 60-65% have been returned. The remaining forms are still not collected.
Urging urban voters to ensure active participation, the Bihar CEO said that the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and municipal staff are going door-to-door to distribute enumeration forms to voters.
In this form, voters are required to provide their name, EPIC (Voter ID) number, mobile number, other essential information and attach a passport-size photograph. Additionally, they can also download their pre-filled enumeration form from the website or fill it online as well.
He said: “If you do not currently have the required documents, you can still fill out and submit the enumeration form immediately with the necessary information, so that your name can be included in the draft voter list to be published on 1 August 2025. You can submit the required documents to the BLO during the claims and objections period from 1 August 2025 to 1 September 2025.”