Bihar SIR: Over 52 lakh electors not found at addresses; 18 lakh so far identified as dead

During house-to-house visits in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, poll officials have so far found that more than 52 lakh voters were not present at their addresses and another 18 lakh have died.

The Election Commission of India said on Tuesday that 26 lakh electors have shifted to different constituencies, while another seven lakh have enrolled at two places.

Poll officials in the state have shared detailed lists of the 21.36 lakh electors whose enumeration forms have not been received so far, and also of the nearly 52.30 lakh who are reportedly deceased or permanently shifted or have enrolled at multiple places.

From 1 August — when draft electoral rolls will be published — to 1 September, a full month will be available to any member of the public to file objections to any additions, deletions and rectification in the draft electoral rolls.

Functionaries said the 12 political parties which have been given a list of electors who have shifted, not found or have died will know why such names will not be included in the draft rolls.

They said political parties have been asked to connect with such voters so that they can approach the poll authorities in the state for inclusion of their names in the draft rolls.

The final roll will be published on 30 September after the due claims and objection process to ensure that no eligible citizen is excluded and no ineligible one is included.