Bihar Voter Roll Overhaul: 1.55 Lakh Party Agents Deployed, More Can Join, Says ECI

Last Updated:June 28, 2025, 22:40 IST

This announcement comes at a time when several political parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral rolls

In a statement issued on Saturday, the ECI mentioned that all recognised national and state political parties can continue to appoint BLAs in addition to the 1.55 lakh already deployed. File pic/PTI

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive in Bihar is in full swing to verify the eligibility of 7.89 crore electors across 243 assembly constituencies.

This large-scale exercise involves around one lakh booth-level officers (BLOs) and an equal number of volunteers, along with 1.55 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) from political parties.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the ECI mentioned that all recognised national and state political parties can continue to appoint BLAs in addition to the 1.55 lakh already deployed.

This announcement comes at a time when several political parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral rolls.

The poll body said, “Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has already begun successfully in Bihar to verify the eligibility of each elector with full participation of all Political Parties."

It further stated that the ECI has so far appointed 77,895 BLOs, and an additional 20,603 BLOs are being deployed for new polling stations.

More than one lakh volunteers will assist genuine electors, especially the elderly, sick, persons with disabilities (PwD), poor, and other vulnerable groups during the exercise.

The printing and door-to-door distribution of new enumeration forms (EF) for all 7,89,69,844 electors of Bihar have started in each of the 243 assembly constituencies. Online filling of the new EFs has also been enabled.

Out of the nearly 7.90 crore electors, 4.96 crore electors were present during the last intensive revision of the electoral roll in 2003, and they only need to fill and submit the EF.

The poll body emphasised that the Constitution of India is supreme.

“All citizens, political parties, and the Election Commission of India follow the Constitution. Article 326 specifies eligibility to become an elector. Only Indian citizens above 18 years and ordinary residents in that constituency are eligible," it explained.

The poll body also stated that SMSes have been sent to the 5,74,07,022 registered mobile numbers in Bihar regarding the SIR.

“All activities relating to SIR are progressing well as per schedule," it said.

Nivedita Singh

Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived...Read More

Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived...

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News elections Bihar Voter Roll Overhaul: 1.55 Lakh Party Agents Deployed, More Can Join, Says ECI