Counting every citizen

What Truly Lies Behind the Selectively Imposed Roll Call

Adamya Bhanot, AIS Gurugram 46, XI S2

With Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) making headlines, a curious journalist asks pointed questions about this massive voter verification drive and finds out what it means for Indian democracy.

Journalist: SIR seems to be the topic of conversation everywhere, and yet, there is so much confusion surrounding it. To begin with, could you explain what the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, actually is?
SIR Expert: Of course! The Special Intensive Revision, launched in Bihar on June 24, 2025, is a large-scale verification of the state’s electoral roll, or simply put, the official list of voters. Booth Level Officers, or BLOs, visited each of the previously listed 7.89 crore voters across Bihar to confirm whether each person listed was still eligible to vote, and whether their information was correct. The enumeration phase ran through late July, a draft roll was published on August 1, and petitions for corrections were open until September 1. After review, the final list was released on September 30, which showed 21.53 lakh new additions and 3.66 lakh deletions, leading to a net increase of about 17.87 lakh voters.

Journalist: But is there any legal basis for such an exercise?
SIR Expert: Undoubtedly! The SIR is carried out under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. These provisions give the Election Commission the authority to prepare and revise electoral rolls as it deems necessary. The ECI can choose between a summary or an intensive revision, depending on how outdated the records are.

Journalist: That is reassuring, but why was such a major revision needed now?
SIR Expert: Well, contrary to what many people believe, such a revision is not a new invention. The electoral roll, a list of all eligible voters in each constituency along with their demographic details, is an integral feature of Indian election law. Major revisions occur periodically – the last intensive update in Bihar was conducted in 2002–03. But, since then, there have been big changes - people have migrated, new voters have come of age, and some entries are outdated or duplicated. So, the ECI decided it was time for a thorough verification to make sure every genuine voter stays on the list and no ineligible entries remain.

Journalist: Several media houses reported missing voters and duplicate entries. How does the Commission handle those issues?
SIR Expert: That’s right - such issues can appear in a large-scale exercise. Some voters were shown with ‘house number 0’ or placeholder addresses. These are called notional numbers, used for homes without official numbering, especially in rural or unauthorised settlements. Whenever mismatches or duplicates are found, the ECI allows citizens to ask for correction.

Journalist: It would be helpful to know more details about what citizens can do if they find an error in the voter list.
SIR Expert: Citizens can fill out correction forms such as Form 6, 7, or 8, depending on the issue. After submission, the BLO holds a hearing and updates the record if the correction is valid. If someone still feels unfairly excluded, they can appeal to higher election officers or even seek judicial review in court.

Journalist: Perhaps, clarity about the documents voters have to provide during this process will help those seeking redressal.
SIR Expert: That depends on when they were registered. Voters who joined after January 1, 2003, must provide additional documents - including proof of date and place of birth and sometimes proof of their parents’ citizenship. The Aadhaar card was officially added as the 12th accepted identity document in 2025. Those who were registered before 2003 have fewer document requirements. This step helps ensure that the electoral roll contains only eligible Indian citizens.
Journalist: What does this mean for the future of elections in India?
SIR Expert: Over the decades, there has been growing concern about documentation requirements for voter enrolment, particularly for migrant labourers and informal workers who lack residential proof. As a response to illegal migration, these documentation checks have become stricter. So, Bihar’s SIR is actually being seen as a pilot project; similar revision drives may be carried out in other states. The goal is simple - purity, accuracy, and transparency in electoral rolls. For democracy depends not just on voting, but also on making sure every voter’s details are correct.

Journalist: If it’s all so seamless, why is SIR being challenged by some?
SIR Expert: Citizens have every right to raise concerns. That is why several petitions challenging SIR are sub-judice at the moment and the law of land via the Supreme Court verdict will prevail. That’s the way a healthy democracy functions!