inal Voter List for Bihar Polls Out Today; Election Schedule Likely by Early October

Bihar Elections: Final Voter List Out Today, Poll Dates Expected by Oct 6-7.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will release the final voter list for the Bihar Assembly elections on Monday, following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. This marks a key step before the announcement of the poll schedule, likely on October 6–7.

The SIR exercise, conducted after 22 years, has been at the centre of political and legal debate.

Key Highlights of the Voter Revision

Draft rolls published: August 1; open for claims and objections until September 1.

Previous voter count: 7.89 crore; draft list showed 7.24 crore after deleting 65.63 lakh names.

Post-draft notices: 3 lakh voters issued notices.

Claims and objections: 16.93 lakh applied for inclusion; 2.17 lakh requested deletion.

Form-6 registrations (Aug 1 – Sept 1): Over 16.56 lakh new voters applied.

Disposal of applications (Sept 1–30): To begin October 1.

Voters can apply for inclusion up to 10 days before the last nomination date, appearing in a supplementary list and regular rolls for future elections.

Opposition Challenges and Supreme Court Scrutiny

The SIR has faced sharp criticism from Opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi accused the EC of collusion with the BJP, alleging attempts to disenfranchise poor and minority voters. Tejashwi Yadav described the revision as a “vote theft” operation during the ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra.

The matter reached the Supreme Court, where petitioners warned that the revision could strip lakhs of voters of their rights. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated they would not hesitate to scrap the voter rolls if irregularities were found, emphasizing “en masse inclusion” over “en masse exclusion.” Aadhaar has been permitted as a valid document despite EC concerns. The next hearing is on October 7.

EC’s Bihar Preparedness Review

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr SS Sandhu and Vineet Joshi, will visit Bihar on October 4–5 to review poll arrangements. They are expected to meet political parties, state officials, and civil society representatives. A meeting of poll observers is scheduled in Delhi on October 3.

Poll Schedule

With the final voter list being published today and the EC’s review visit planned, sources indicate the Bihar election schedule could be announced as early as October 6–7. The current Assembly’s term ends on November 22.