Bihar electoral roll revision: 65 lakh more enumeration forms collected from voters, says EC

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Sunday said the initial phase of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar is "almost" complete with the distribution of enumeration forms to all the electors "who were available".

In the past 24 hours till Sunday 6 PM, 65,32,663 enumeration forms have been collected, taking the total to 1.69 crore out of 7.89 crore voters whose names appear in the existing voters' list. The uploading of forms has also started simultaneously in full swing with 7.25 per of the forms already uploaded so far.

"The initial phase of SIR, during which enumeration forms were to be printed and distributed, is almost complete with the forms having been made available to all the electors who were available," the EC said in a statement.

Defending the exercise that has attracted criticism, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, “during the past 4 months, 4,123 EROs, 775 DEOs and 36 CEOs have held nearly 5,000 meetings with 28,000 party representatives. The EC has also invited all recognised parties for interaction. No one was satisfied with the current status of electoral rolls for one reason or the other.”

The statement said the SIR is being conducted as per the SIR instructions dated June 24 and there is no change in the instructions. Draft electoral rolls that will be issued on August 1 will contain the names of persons whose enumeration forms are received.

"The electors can submit their documents any time before July 25. After publication of draft electoral rolls, if any document is deficient, Electoral Registration Officers can obtain such documents, from the electors whose name appears in the draft Electoral Rolls, during scrutiny in the Claims and Objection period," it said.

According to the EC, 77,895 BLOs are going house-to-house to help the electors fill out their enumeration forms and collect them. In a large number of cases, it said, the BLOs are taking live pictures of the electors and uploading them, saving the elector the trouble of getting their pictures clicked.

Additionally, 20,603 BLOs are being appointed for the smooth and timely completion of the SIR. Nearly 4 lakh volunteers, which includes government officials, NCC cadets and NSS members among others, are also working on the field to facilitate the elderly, disabled, sick and vulnerable populations in the SIR process.

"Besides, 239 EROs covering all the 243 ACs, 963 AEROs, 38 DEOs and the CEO of the state are at the ground level to facilitate the electors to submit their forms. 1,54,977 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various political parties are also providing active support in the SIR process," the statement added.