Over 41 lakh Bihar voters yet to return forms, says Election Commission

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday said that over 41 lakh electors in Bihar are yet to return their enumeration forms, even as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll continues across the state.

According to the EC, of the more than 7.89 crore electors in Bihar, around 7.48 crore, amounting to 94.68 per cent, have been covered so far. However, nearly 36.87 lakh voters were not found at their registered addresses, and over 41 lakh electors, or 5.2 per cent, have not returned their forms despite multiple visits by booth-level officers (BLOs).

In a bid to verify the status of these electors, those believed to be deceased, permanently shifted, or registered in multiple locations, the EC has begun sharing lists with recognised political parties and their 1.5 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs). These BLAs have been authorised to submit up to 50 verified forms daily, with the deadline set for 25 July.

“This step is in line with the EC’s commitment that no eligible elector is left out,” the commission said in a statement.

The draft electoral roll will be published on 1 August, following which political parties and the public will be given a month to suggest corrections or request the inclusion of any omitted names.

Claims and objections will be processed up to 25 September, and the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on 30 September.

Any voter dissatisfied with decisions made by the electoral registration officers (EROs) can appeal to the district magistrate or the state’s chief electoral officer as per electoral law.