As the filing of claims & objections against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) draft roll in Bihar entered its 29th day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) recorded a staggering spike in the number of ‘new voter’ applications. The official data showed that 8,51,788 Form 6 and declaration forms had been submitted for inclusion of new electors, with over 4.18 lakh of those forms received in just two days between August 26 and 28, showing a 96.6% hike within 48 hours.
Until August 21, the number of claims and objections (C&O) filed directly by electors remained at zero. Despite the deletion of over 65 lakh names from the draft roll published on August 1, political parties, Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and even individual electors showed limited interest in filing the claims & objections. The trend shifted from August 22, when the ECI received 84,305 C&O forms, followed by 99,656 on August 23, 1,21,143 on August 24, 1,40,931 on August 25, 1,62,453 on August 26, 1,78,948 on August 27, and finally peaking at 1,95,802 on August 28.
Forms from new electors cross 8.5 lakh amid a late wave
A similar, yet even more dramatic, trend played out with applications for new voter inclusion. Starting from 2,63,257 forms received on August 22, the numbers rose incrementally over the following days: 2,83,042 on August 23, 3,28,847 on August 24, 3,79,692 on August 25, and 4,33,214 on August 26.
Then, within just two days, submissions surged to 6,35,124 on August 27, and 8,51,788 on August 28—a near doubling. These submissions came from individuals aged 18 or above, including a minor number of forms received through Booth Level Agents. Out of the total 8,51,788 forms, only 37,050 had been processed as of August 28.
The scale of this late surge calls attention to its timing. With four days still remaining before the September 1 deadline for submitting claims and objections, the figures suggest a sharp rush that is difficult to interpret as routine civic behaviour. The pattern mirrors other well-documented electoral events, such as the post-5 PM polling surges during recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, which have drawn criticism and required repeated clarification from the ECI.
Political parties’ minimal role in filing claims & objections against deletion of electors
One of the more surprising revelations from the ongoing process is the near-complete absence of political parties in filing objections—despite having over 1.6 lakh BLAs deployed across the state. From zero claims and objections filed by political parties until August 21, the number increased only marginally to 82 by August 28. Of these, 79 were submitted by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, while the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) filed only three.
This absence was highlighted in court proceedings, where the ECI stated unequivocally: “No political party has filed a single objection (to deletion) till date.” Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the ECI, added: “They are only whipping up fear for their political interests… It is the duty of the political parties to come forward and assist the Election Commission in completing this exercise. But they are not cooperating.”
The observation invites deeper reflection, especially since political parties had publicly expressed concern over the deletions, but their engagement through the official channel of objections remained nominal.
Supreme Court intervenes with directions and observations
The Supreme Court of India intervened in the matter on August 22, providing significant directions aimed at resolving procedural and accessibility issues. A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ordered that:
“Electors who are excluded from the draft electoral roll can submit their applications for inclusion through online mode. A copy of the Aadhaar card can be submitted along with the applications seeking inclusion in the list.”
The Court also directed the 12 recognised political parties in Bihar to activate their BLAs and ensure they help citizens in filing claims and objections. It remarked:
“Although there are about 1.6 lakh Booth Level Agents of political parties, only two objections have come from them.”
Some political parties claimed their BLAs’ objections were not being acknowledged by officials. Advocate Vrinda Grover added that even when Aadhaar cards were provided as ID, “officers were insisting on one of the 11 documents specified in the SIR order.” Advocate Fauzia Shakil further noted that acknowledgement receipts were not being issued, and requested that the September 1 deadline be extended, considering that the final list of deleted electors was made public only on August 19.
The Court also referred to the ECI’s claim that if all 1.6 lakh BLAs verified 10 documents daily, “16 lakh verifications can be done in 4-5 days.” This formed part of the justification for keeping the deadline intact.
The ECI, meanwhile, reiterated that no name can be deleted from the draft list without a formal speaking order from the respective Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant ERO, after conducting an enquiry and offering the elector a fair chance to respond.
Related
99.8% of 65 lakh voter deletions go unchallenged on 13th day of objection period
The Stolen Franchise: Why the Election Commission cannot escape accountability
Major Irregularities in 2024 Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha Polls; Vote for Democracy