By Bharat Global Time News Desk
Date: July 15, 2025
In a sweeping revision of the electoral rolls, the Election Commission has announced that more than 35 lakh (3.5 million) names will be deleted from Bihar’s voter list, as part of a statewide electoral cleanup exercise. The move comes just months before the highly anticipated 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections, raising both praise and political concerns.
Why Are So Many Names Being Deleted?
The Election Commission cited multiple reasons for this massive removal:
- Duplicate entries (voters registered in multiple places)
- Deceased voters
- Migrated individuals no longer residing in the same constituency
- Fake or unverifiable identities
The process follows a detailed door-to-door verification campaign conducted earlier this year.
“This is part of the ongoing effort to ensure clean, transparent, and error-free electoral rolls,” said a senior EC official in Patna.
📍 District-wise Breakdown
Some of the districts with the highest deletions include:
- Patna
- Muzaffarpur
- Darbhanga
- Gaya
- Purnia
In urban areas, floating populations and students were a key factor. In rural regions, the focus was on removing deceased and duplicate entries.
What This Means for Voters
If your name is on the deletion list and you’re a genuine voter, you may lose your right to vote in the upcoming elections.
What you should do:
- Visit the National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP)
- Use your EPIC number to check your status
- If missing, fill out Form 6 for inclusion or Form 8 for corrections
- Deadline to apply for reinstatement: Expected within next 30 days
Political Impact and Reactions
This large-scale removal has triggered mixed reactions across party lines.
Ruling JD(U) & BJP Alliance:
“This is a welcome step toward free and fair elections. Phantom voters were distorting results,” said a JD(U) spokesperson.
Opposition RJD & Congress:
“This is voter suppression. Why now, just before elections? Are certain communities being targeted?” questioned RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Some civil society groups have also expressed concern about marginalized communities — especially migrant workers, minorities, and Dalits — potentially being disproportionately affected.
A Part of National Voter Roll Purification Drive
Bihar is not alone. The Election Commission has launched a nationwide voter roll purification campaign in line with its goal of achieving 100% accuracy ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and various state polls.
Similar exercises are underway in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, though Bihar tops the list in terms of number of deletions.
Conclusion: Cleanup or Controversy?
The removal of over 35 lakh names from Bihar’s voter rolls may streamline the democratic process — or spark fresh controversy if genuine voters are caught in the net. With elections approaching fast, transparency and outreach will be key to preventing disenfranchisement.
Follow Bharat Global Time for updates on electoral reforms, democracy, and state politics.
