bihar assembly elections 2025: ECI, SIR, parties & constitutional Contours
1. election commission & SIR process
What is SIR?
The Special Intensive revision (SIR) is a process initiated by the Election Commission of india (ECI) to update the electoral rolls in Bihar prior to the 2025 Assembly elections. It mandates house-to-house verification and requires citizens to fill forms to be included in the voter list
- This revision is grounded in the Constitution (Article 324) and the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (Section 21(2)(a))
- Draft rolls were published on 1 August 2025, with a final list expected subsequently
Constitutional Grounds
The SIR adheres to constitutional and legal mandates:
- Article 326 (Constitution): Affirms voting rights for citizens over 18.
- Section 16, RP Act 1950: Specifies disqualification criteria (e.g., foreign citizenship, unsound mind).
Procedure & Transparency
- The ECI issued notifications, expanded polling infrastructure, and increased Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and volunteers to assist the process The draft electoral rolls were shared with all political parties, and claims/objections are being processed with due safeguards, like notice issuance and reasoned deletion orders Supreme court Intervention
Public Interest Litigations (PILs) from entities like the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) are pending in the Supreme Court, challenging the SIR's constitutionality and due process
Key interim directives from the Court (issued mid-August 2025) include:
- Publishing a district-wise, booth-level list of 65 lakh deleted voters with reasons.
- Accepting Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration cards for inclusion objections.
2. Political Landscape & Parties
Major Political Parties
- Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress-led INDIA alliance have raised strong objections to the SIR, alleging voter disenfranchisement.
- BJP/NDA continues to defend the process.
- A new entrant, Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), founded by Prashant Kishor in 2024, is actively contesting.
- Another short-lived party, Aap Sabki Awaz (AASA), emerged but later merged into JSP.
Opposition & Protests
- Rahul Gandhi launched a “Voter Adhikar Yatra” across Bihar, accusing ECI of deleting 65 lakh names to disenfranchise voters and demanding restoration of rights.
- Tejashwi Yadav (RJD) alleged dual EPIC numbers being issued to BJP affiliates to manipulate voter rolls.
- P. Chidambaram questioned the logic of decreasing voter numbers amid population growth and cited SC directions to ECI.
- ECI rebutted, insisting that about 22 lakh deletions corresponded to deceased electors and that opportunities for inclusion remain open until August 30.
ECI’s Defense
- The ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, emphasized impartiality—“No ruling side or opposition for us”—and stressed that SIR is a legally mandated revision.
3. Key Constitutional and Legal Framework
|
Law / Provision |
Relevance |
|
Article 324, Constitution |
Empowers ECI to supervise elections; basis for SIR |
|
Section 21, RP Act 1950 |
Mandates routine revision of electoral rolls |
|
Section 16, RP Act 1950 |
Defines qualifications/disqualifications for voters |
|
SC Directives (Aug 2025) |
Ensure transparency and procedural grave safeguards |
|
Rules on deletion & appeals |
Include two-tier appeal mechanism and notice mandates |
4. Election Preparedness & Innovations
- Increased infrastructure: Polling stations rose from ~77,895 to 90,712. Booths capped at 1,200 electors each.
- Volunteer expansion: From around 1 lakh to nearly 4 lakh volunteers deployed
- First mobile-based e-voting trial: In municipal bypolls, enabling remote voting for vulnerable populations in Bihar—70% turnout via e-voting.
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