The Bihar Assembly Elections are getting closer, and with that, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun a major update to the state’s voter list through a process called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Starting August 1, the draft voter list has been released, and voters now have one month — until September 1 — to check if their names are still on the list or to apply for corrections or additions. Around 65 lakh names are expected to be removed due to recent verification efforts.
On the surface, this looks like a routine administrative step. But if you look closely, this process could significantly affect how many people get to vote — especially young citizens, migrant workers, and people from marginalised communities.
The Election Commission has made it easier than ever for citizens to check or update their names. You can do it online through the ECI Voter Portal, ECINet mobile app, or by visiting your local Booth Level Officer (BLO). Even WhatsApp submissions are being accepted. That’s progress in terms of accessibility.
However, the simplicity ends there for some groups of people — especially first-time voters born after July 1, 1987. They are being asked for extra documents to prove not only their age but also their ancestry and family history — including birth certificates, their parent’s voter ID, and sometimes even land or caste certificates. These additional requirements have triggered concern and criticism, especially from civil society groups and political leaders who view it as an unnecessary hurdle.
Let’s be clear: keeping voter rolls clean and up to date is important. We want fair elections, and that starts with ensuring that only eligible people vote. However, the process must not become a way to filter out legitimate voters who may not have access to documents that prove their ancestry.
This is not just a problem on paper. In real life, many citizens, especially migrant workers, daily wage earners, and rural youth, don’t have documents like a family register or a birth certificate. If they were born in homes without hospital records or have moved across states for work, tracing their roots to pre-1987 voter rolls is almost impossible.
By requiring such paperwork, the state risks disenfranchising thousands, even lakhs, of eligible voters — not because they’re not Indian, but because they don’t have the right documents to prove it.
Critics have even compared the situation to a "mini NRC" — referencing the National Register of Citizens in Assam that led to chaos and anxiety for millions. Bihar isn’t officially creating such a register, but the effect could be similar if the documentation demand isn’t handled with flexibility and fairness.
If you live in Bihar and want to vote in the 2025 elections, it is extremely important to verify your name on the draft list right now. Here are the main ways to check:
Go to: https://voters.eci.gov.in
Enter your EPIC number, state, and CAPTCHA.
Submit to see your status.
Click “Search by Details”.
Enter your name, date of birth, relative’s name, district, and other info.
Same site: electoralsearch.eci.gov.in
Click “Search by Mobile”, enter details, verify by OTP, and check status.
Download from Google Play or Apple App Store.
Enter EPIC or personal details to search.
If your name is missing, don’t panic, but act quickly. You can file a claim by submitting Form 6 — either online, to a BLO, or at the local ERO/AERO office. You can even send the form via a family member or WhatsApp, in some cases.
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The Election Commission will publish the final electoral roll on September 30, after reviewing all claims and objections. This means August is your only window to make sure your voice will be counted in the upcoming elections.
This process is about more than technology or paperwork. It’s about inclusion, democracy, and fairness. While digitisation and new apps make access easier for some, extra hurdles for others could unintentionally weaken trust in the voting process.
To truly strengthen democracy in Bihar, it’s important not just to make the process smooth — but also to make it just and equal for everyone, no matter where they come from or how many papers they have.
Because voting isn't just a right — it's a voice. And everyone deserves to be heard.
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