Why Did Bihar’s Draft Electoral Roll Remove 65 Lakh Voters? Supreme Court Seeks ECI’s Response

Why Were 65 Lakh Voters Deleted from Bihar’s Electoral Roll?
The ECI’s draft electoral roll for Bihar, published on August 1, 2025, excluded 65 lakh voters without providing individual reasons for each deletion. The Supreme Court has now demanded a booth-wise and constituency-wise breakdown of these exclusions. Here are the key reasons cited for the deletions:
Death of Voters – Around 22 lakh names were removed due to reported deaths.


Duplicate Entries – Approximately 7 lakh voters were deleted for having multiple registrations.
Migration or Untraceability – Nearly 35 lakh voters were excluded for allegedly shifting out of Bihar or being untraceable.
Non-Submission of Forms – Over 1.2 lakh voters were dropped for failing to submit required documents.
Despite these broad categories, the ECI did not specify exact reasons for each deletion, leading to allegations of lack of transparency.


Why Is This Important for Competitive Exams?
For aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, PSC, KAS, and other government exams, this case is significant because:
✅ Understanding Electoral Laws – Questions on Representation of the People Act, voter registration rules, and ECI’s role often appear in exams.
✅ Current Affairs Relevance – Judiciary’s intervention in electoral matters is a hot topic for GS and polity sections.
✅ Governance & Transparency – This case highlights accountability in democracy, a key theme in essay and ethics papers.
✅ Legal Remedies – The debate over Section 21A of the Registration of Voters Rules (which denies appeal rights to deleted voters) is crucial for law-based questions.


Questions & Answers for Competitive Exams
Q1. Why has the Supreme Court sought ECI’s response on Bihar’s electoral roll deletions?
Ans: The SC intervened due to concerns over lack of transparency in removing 65 lakh voters without providing individual reasons, risking arbitrary disenfranchisement.
Q2. What are the main reasons cited for voter deletions in Bihar?
Ans: The ECI cited death (22 lakh), duplicate entries (7 lakh), migration/untraceability (35 lakh), and non-submission of forms (1.2 lakh) as key reasons.
Q3. How does this issue impact voter rights?
Ans: Deleted voters cannot file objections or appeals under Section 21A, denying them legal recourse and potentially affecting election fairness.
Q4. What role do Booth Level Officers (BLOs) play in voter list revisions?
Ans: BLOs verify voter details and recommend inclusions/exclusions, but allegations of unverified deletions (“not recommended by BLO”) have raised concerns.
Q5. Why is electoral transparency crucial in a democracy?
Ans: Transparent voter lists ensure free & fair elections, prevent disenfranchisement, and uphold public trust in democratic institutions like the ECI.


This case underscores the importance of accountability in electoral processes, a critical topic for UPSC, PSC, and law aspirants. As the Supreme Court examines the ECI’s actions, future rulings could shape voter rights and election integrity in India.
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