Key Points
- Final Voter List Published: The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the final voter list for the Bihar Assembly elections on September 30, 2025, with a total of 7.42 crore eligible electors.
- Massive Revision: The list is the result of a comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that removed 48 lakh names from the initial roll due to deaths, relocations, and duplicate entries.
- Voter Verification: Citizens can now verify their details online at the official ECI portal: voters.eci.gov.in.
- Election Schedule Imminent: The ECI is expected to announce the dates for the Bihar Assembly elections between October 6 and 7, with voting likely to occur after the Chhath festival in late October or early November.
- Patna District Growth: Patna district saw the addition of 1,63,600 new voters, bringing its total to 48,15,294.
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has officially published the final electoral roll for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Released on Tuesday, September 30, the final list includes approximately 7.42 crore voters who are eligible to cast their ballots. This release marks the culmination of a rigorous three-month Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the first of its kind in Bihar in 22 years, aimed at creating an accurate and transparent voter database.
The final list is now accessible to the public on the ECI’s official voter service portal, and physical copies will be provided to District Election Officers and recognized political parties. The ECI has appealed to all eligible citizens to verify their names and details to ensure their right to vote.
Details of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Process
The SIR process, which began on June 24, 2025, involved a meticulous review of the existing electoral rolls. The initial list contained 7.89 crore voters.
- Initial Deletions: During the first phase in June and July, 65 lakh names were removed from the rolls due to reasons such as death, permanent relocation, or duplicate entries.
- Draft List and Public Scrutiny: A draft list with 7.24 crore voters was published on August 1, 2025. This was followed by a one-month period for claims and objections from the public and political parties.
- Additions and Final Scrutiny: During this period, 21.53 lakh new applications (Form 6) for inclusion were accepted and processed. A further 3.66 lakh names were removed from the draft list after scrutiny found them to be ineligible.
- Final Tally: After accounting for all additions and deletions, the final number of electors stands at 7.42 crore, a net reduction of 48 lakh from the pre-SIR roll.
The process has been contentious, with opposition parties raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement and the matter reaching the Supreme Court, which has stated it could nullify the exercise if illegalities are found. The ECI has defended the process, assuring that no eligible citizen would be left out.
How to Check Your Name in the Voter List
Voters can easily check their details using the following methods:
- Online Portal: Visit the ECI’s official website at voters.eci.gov.in or the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar’s website at ceoelection.bihar.gov.in.
- Search Options: On the portal, you can search for your name by entering personal details or your EPIC (Voter ID) number.
- Download PDF: The portal also allows users to download PDF copies of the electoral roll for their specific assembly constituency.
- Mobile Apps: The ‘Voter Helpline’ and ‘NVSP’ mobile apps, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, also provide access to the voter list.
Next Steps and Election Timeline
With the final voter list published, the ECI is set to announce the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections, likely between October 6 and 7. Sources indicate that voting will be conducted in two to three phases after the Chhath festival, which concludes on October 28.
The results are expected to be declared before November 15, as the tenure of the current assembly ends on November 22, 2025. For those eligible citizens whose names are still not on the list, the ECI has confirmed that they can apply for inclusion up to 10 days before the last date for filing nominations for the election.
