Bihar Electoral Roll Review: 18.66 Lakh Dead Among 52.3 Lakh 'Missing' Voters, Says ECI

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 19:04 IST

On Tuesday, the ECI reported that of the 7.90 crore registered electors as of June 24, enumeration forms have been collected from 7.16 crore, including 7.13 crore digitised forms

To ensure transparency, poll body officials have held meetings with representatives of all political parties and shared detailed lists of the 21.35 lakh pending forms and 52.30 lakh missing electors. Representational image/PTI

The Election Commission of India (ECI), during its ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar, has identified at least 18.66 lakh (2.36%) deceased persons still listed as voters. This brings the total number of missing or problematic entries in the electoral rolls to 52.30 lakh.

On Tuesday, the ECI reported that out of the 7.90 crore registered electors as of June 24, enumeration forms have been collected from 7.16 crore, including 7.13 crore digitised forms.

The poll body revealed that 52.30 lakh voters, accounting for 6.62% of the total registered voters, have not been found at their registered addresses. This list includes 18.66 lakh deceased voters, 26 lakh permanently shifted voters, and 7.50 lakh duplicate entries—voters enrolled at multiple places. The number of untraceable voters stands at 11,484.

With these numbers, the ECI has covered 7.68 crore electors (97.30%) through enumeration forms, leaving just 21.35 lakh voters, accounting for 2.70% of the total.

To be included in the draft electoral roll that will be published on August 1, voters must submit the enumeration forms by July 25.

To ensure transparency, poll body officials have held meetings with representatives of all political parties and shared detailed lists of the 21.35 lakh pending forms and 52.30 lakh missing electors.

“The entire election machinery, including nearly 1 lakh BLOs, 4 lakh volunteers, and 1.5 lakh BLAs appointed by the District Presidents of all the 12 major political parties in Bihar are working together to locate those electors who have yet to submit their Enumeration Forms (EFs) or have not been found at their addresses," the ECI stated.

On Tuesday, the ECI reiterated that a full one-month period—from August 1 to September 1—will be provided for public objections regarding any additions, deletions, or rectifications in the draft electoral rolls.

The SIR drive is seen as a crucial step towards cleaning and strengthening Bihar’s electoral rolls ahead of the upcoming elections. Elections are likely to be held in Bihar around October-November, as the term of the assembly ends in November.

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 india Bihar Electoral Roll Review: 18.66 Lakh Dead Among 52.3 Lakh 'Missing' Voters, Says ECI