Bihar voter list revision: ECI tells Supreme Court no deletion without prior notice, hearing

The Election Commission of India has told the Supreme Court that no name will be struck off from Bihar’s draft electoral roll without prior notice, an opportunity to be heard and a reasoned order from the competent authority.

In an additional affidavit filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar, the Election Commission stated that names would not be deleted from the draft electoral roll without following due process.

“No deletion of any elector’s name from the draft electoral roll, published on 1st August 2025, shall be undertaken without: (i) issuance of a prior notice to the concerned elector indicating the proposed deletion and the grounds thereof, (ii) affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard and furnishing relevant documents, and (iii) passing of a reasoned and speaking order by the competent authority,” the Commission said.

The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) raising objections to the SIR exercise ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar.

The affidavit stated these safeguards are further reinforced by a robust two-tier appeal mechanism ensuring that every elector has adequate recourse against any adverse action.

The affidavit said that the first stage of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State of Bihar has been completed, and the Draft Electoral Roll has been published on August 1 after house-to-house visits undertaken by the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for the collection of enumeration forms from existing electors.

It also said that it had shared details of electors whose enumeration forms were not received with recognised political parties to facilitate corrective action before finalising the draft electoral roll.

“That the Commission, in an effort to ensure inclusion of every eligible elector whose enumeration forms had not been received caused the list of such electors, be shared with Booth Level Agents of the recognised political parties by 20th July 2025 itself...so that, in cases where such entries required reconsideration, appropriate corrective action could be taken and the names included in the draft roll. Subsequently, upon noting the proactive efforts of the political parties, updated lists were again shared with their representatives for further follow-up,” the affidavit said.

The affidavit further detailed steps taken during the SIR of the electoral roll in Bihar, highlighting measures to ensure maximum participation, prevent wrongful deletions, and include every eligible voter.

As per the same, out of 7.89 crore electors, over 7.24 crore submitted their enumeration forms with the involvement of State election machinery, volunteers and party agents.

Advertisements were published in Hindi in 246 newspapers across the country for migrant workers.

Further, strict directions were issued to prevent deletion of names without notice and a speaking order, it was submitted.

On assistance to voters, the affidavit highlighted ECI had deployed about 2.5 lakhs volunteers, most of whom are also officers of the Government of Bihar, to assist electors, including in procuring the requisite documents.

It further noted that the Commission has been issuing daily press releases/bulletins to keep the public informed on claims and objection on which action will be taken after notice period.

The SIR, announced on June 24, is the first such revision in Bihar since 2003. Petitions by the Association for Democratic Reforms, PUCL and others challenge the process, alleging violations of constitutional provisions and election law. On July 10, the Supreme Court refused to stay the revision but asked the ECI to allow Aadhaar, EPIC and ration card as valid documents. The matter is listed for hearing on August 12 and 13.