Roll crunch: on the revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls Politics & News

Elections in India feature a larger number of voters from among the poor and marginalised sections when compared to the West, offering them the best outlet to register their views while choosing their representatives. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has done yeoman work in increasing voter participation by easing the registration process, allowing the poor in even less developed States to vote enthusiastically. On Saturday, the ECI initiated a “Special Intensive Revision” of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections scheduled in October. The objective of ensuring an accurate electoral roll is constitutionally sound as this includes adding all eligible citizens and eliminating ineligible voters such as the dead, those who have shifted and also non-citizens. However, the hurried timeline and the documentation requirements for verification raise serious concerns about the potential exclusion of genuine voters. The ECI has said that Bihar’s Draft Electoral Rolls, as of January 1, 2025, stand at close to 7.96 crore electors. It has also said that 4.96 crore individuals, who were on the 2003 electoral roll, will not need to submit fresh documents, and for their children, only an extract of the 2003 roll can serve as proof for their parents. However, the figure from 2003 is not static. A significant number has either passed away or migrated. The Hindu’s Data Point estimates this attrition to be around 1.8 crore. Thus, the number of living, resident electors from the 2003 list eligible for simplified verification is closer to 3.16 crore. Consequently, the actual figure of those who need to provide fresh documents for enrolment would be closer to 4.74 crore.

These individuals would have to prove their elector status within a month when the draft roll is prepared. Their claims and objections will have to be filed within a month after that, which is too short a period. The challenge is compounded by the ECI’s illustrative list of 11 acceptable documents. Bihar has historically lagged in birth registration, with very few in possession of birth certificates. The possession of other “official” documents such as matriculation certificates and government-issued IDs also remain low among a large section of the population, especially the poor and the less educated. The exclusion of widely available documents such as Aadhaar or current ration cards is also puzzling as these are more accessible to Bihar’s marginalised communities. Considering the enormity of the exercise, the ECI should reconsider its approach. Such an intensive revision should be conducted over a much extended period, and for all States, and completed before the 2029 general election, rather than rushing it through before the Assembly election. The integrity of the electoral process demands caution and time, especially when dealing with the fundamental right to vote.