EC to publish final rolls with 7.4 cr voters in Bihar today

With the final electoral roll of Bihar set to be published tomorrow (September 30), around 7.4 crore voters are expected to find their names in the state’s list under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of rolls.

However, sources in the Election Commission (EC) said the final figure of voters in Bihar will only be known after the last date for filing nominations for the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Before the commencement of the SIR, Bihar had 7.89 crore voters. Of these, 65 lakh names were deleted, bringing the total down to 7.24 crore voters who had submitted enumeration forms till July 27 under the first phase of the revision.

Among the 65 lakh deletions, 22 lakh were of deceased voters, 36 lakh were of those who had permanently shifted or were not found, and seven lakh were found to be enrolled at multiple places. The draft electoral rolls published on August 1 by the EC factored in these deletions, containing 7.24 crore voters.

Between August 1 and September 1, which was the window for filing objections and claims, the ECI received 16,56,886 applications from first-time voters who turned 18 this year for inclusion in the rolls. In addition, there were 36,475 applications from general voters for inclusion and 2,17,049 applications for exclusion.

Also political parties like CPI (ML) (Liberation) submitted 15 applications for inclusion of names, while 10 names were submitted by the RJD for inclusion. At the same time, CPI (ML) (Liberation) also submitted applications for exclusion of 103 names, while the ruling BJP submitted applications for deletion of 16 names.

Taking all these figures of inclusion and exclusion of names into account from ordinary voters and political parties, the final rolls to be released on September 30 are likely to carry 7,38,76,218 or to round off, approximately 7.40 crore voters' names, as per data provided by the EC till September 1.

Meanwhile the EC will be visiting Bihar on October 4 and 5 to take stock of the preparations for the coming Assembly elections, which are likely to be held in the first week of November, most probably in three phases.

The poll body is likely to announce the schedule for Bihar Assembly elections between October 6 and 10.