On July 9, 2025, the streets of Bihar witnessed a significant uproar as the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, orchestrated a statewide protest, dubbed the “Bihar Bandh,” against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This revision, announced on June 24, 2025, aimed to overhaul Bihar’s voter list ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections. However, it sparked widespread controversy, with opposition leaders alleging that the process threatens to disenfranchise millions, particularly marginalized communities, and could favor the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The protests, marked by road and railway blockades, effigy burnings, and a march to the ECI office in Patna led by prominent leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, underscored deep concerns about electoral fairness and democratic rights.
This article delves into the reasons behind the protests, the ECI’s rationale for the SIR, the opposition’s allegations, the socio-economic implications for Bihar’s voters, and the legal challenges mounted in the Supreme Court, providing a comprehensive overview of this contentious issue.
Background of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The ECI announced the SIR on June 24, 2025, marking it as the first intensive revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls since 2003. The stated objective was to ensure the “integrity of the electoral roll” by including all eligible voters, removing ineligible ones, and maintaining transparency in the process. The ECI cited rapid urbanization, frequent migration, the addition of newly eligible young voters, underreporting of deaths, and the potential inclusion of foreign illegal immigrants as reasons necessitating this overhaul.
The revision process involves house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to identify eligible and ineligible voters. Approximately 29.3 million voters added to the rolls since 2003 must submit one of 11 prescribed documents to prove their eligibility, while the 49.6 million voters listed in 2003 are exempt from this requirement. The ECI emphasized adherence to constitutional provisions under Article 326 and Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950, ensuring that only eligible citizens are included.
The draft electoral rolls are set to be published on August 1, 2025, with a deadline for form submissions by July 25. Failure to submit the required documents could result in voters’ names being excluded from the rolls, raising fears of widespread disenfranchisement.
The INDIA Bloc’s Protest
The INDIA bloc, comprising parties such as the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, and others, called for a “Bihar Bandh” on July 9, 2025, to protest the SIR. The protests were multifaceted, involving road blockades, railway track obstructions, and tire burnings across districts like Arwal, Jehanabad, and Darbhang
Last Updated on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 3:45 pm by Mahitha Ventrapati
About The Author
