Bihar's Final Electoral Roll Published with 7.42 Crore Electors Ahead of Assembly Polls

Final Electoral Roll Released for Bihar Assembly Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, officially published the final electoral roll for Bihar, setting the stage for the upcoming Assembly elections. The updated list now includes approximately 7.42 crore (74.2 million) electors who will be eligible to cast their votes in the polls scheduled for October or November 2025.

Special Intensive Revision Process Concludes

The publication marks the conclusion of a comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a process that commenced on June 24, 2025. This extensive exercise aimed to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of the voter list by incorporating claims and objections from the public.

During the SIR, a significant number of changes were made to the electoral database:

• Initially, 7.89 crore electors were on the rolls as of June 24, 2025.
• Approximately 65 lakh (6.5 million) names were removed from the initial roll before the draft list was published, primarily due to reasons such as being deceased, having shifted residence, or being duplicate entries.
• The draft electoral roll, published on August 1, 2025, contained 7.24 crore electors.
• Following the claims and objections period, 21.53 lakh (2.153 million) eligible electors were added to the list through Form 6 applications.
• An additional 3.66 lakh (0.366 million) ineligible names were removed from the draft list after scrutiny.

The final count of 7.42 crore electors reflects these additions and deletions, representing a net decrease from the initial June figures but an increase from the August draft.

Official Statements and Accessibility

Bihar's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Vinod Singh Gunjiyal, played a pivotal role in overseeing this revision process. The ECI has made the final electoral roll available online, allowing any elector to check their details by visiting voters.eci.gov.in. Physical copies of the electoral roll have also been provided to all District Election Officers-cum-District Magistrates and recognized political parties.

Preparations for Upcoming Elections

The publication of the final electoral roll is a crucial step in the preparations for the 2025 Bihar Legislative Assembly election. The Election Commission is expected to announce the specific poll dates soon, with indications suggesting an announcement after Dussehra (October 2) or specifically on October 4. The elections are likely to be held in multiple phases.

The SIR process, while comprehensive, did face some criticism from opposition parties regarding alleged irregularities. However, the Election Commission has consistently dismissed these charges, asserting its neutrality and commitment to a fair process. The Supreme Court is also reportedly hearing a plea concerning the methodology of the SIR.