Draft voter list of Bihar released, available online: ECI

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Friday said it has released the draft electoral rolls for Bihar, marking a significant step in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

“The draft voter list is now available online, and citizens can check their names on the official website,” the EC said in its daily press update.

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According to the ECI: From August 1 to September 1, voters and political parties can submit claims and objections to add or remove names from the electoral rolls. First-time voters born after July 1, 1987, may need to provide additional documents, such as birth certificates, parent’s voter ID, or other official documents proving identity and residence. And, voters can check their names using their EPIC number, personal details, or mobile number on the ECI’s website or mobile app.

The Opposition parties, including Congress and Samajwadi Party, have raised concerns over possible large-scale deletion of voters, alleging that the SIR process may disproportionately affect certain groups. They plan to deploy legal teams and volunteers to conduct independent audits of the draft rolls.

The ECI has emphasized that the SIR process aims to ensure accurate and inclusive electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urged citizens to verify their details and file claims or objections within the specified timeline.

After the claims and objections period, the ECI will process accepted requests and prepare the final electoral roll, expected to be released in early October. This final list will serve as the official voter database for the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.