Despite repeated queries, the Election Commission refuses to disclose how many alleged “foreign” names were struck off in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), raising transparency questions in Bihar’s upcoming elections.
Patna / New Delhi : October 7, 2025
As Bihar prepares for the upcoming assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) finds itself at the centre of controversy. The issue? Its refusal to disclose how many names — allegedly belonging to “aliens” or non-citizens — were deleted during the state’s massive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The silence has triggered outrage among opposition parties, civil rights activists, and even the Supreme Court, which has demanded greater transparency in the revision process.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Missing Data
The SIR, launched in early 2025, aimed to “purify” Bihar’s voter list by removing deceased voters, duplicate entries, and non-residents. However, the exercise also included identifying “infiltrators” — individuals alleged to be foreign nationals, referred to by officials as “aliens.”
When asked to disclose the number of such deletions, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar claimed that no separate data was maintained.
“The Commission did not collect category-wise figures,” Kumar told reporters, adding that “only total deletions are available.”
That explanation has not satisfied many. Observers note that while the EC routinely maintains detailed deletion records, its unwillingness to share specific data on “alien” voters raises more questions than it answers.
What the EC Revealed — and What It Didn’t
The Election Commission has published partial figures from the revision:
- 69 lakh names deleted in total during the SIR.
- 18 lakh deceased voters removed.
- 7 lakh duplicates eliminated.
- 26 lakh voters shifted to other constituencies.
Yet, nowhere in the data does the EC identify how many were deleted under the “alien” category.
This omission has amplified accusations that the EC is suppressing politically sensitive information ahead of the Bihar polls 2025.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
The Supreme Court of India stepped into the controversy in August 2025 after multiple petitions alleged arbitrary deletions. Civil society group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) claimed that more than 65 lakh names had been removed without clear justification.
In response, the Supreme Court ordered the EC to publish district- and booth-level lists of all deleted names, with specific reasons for removal.
“The right to vote is inseparable from the right to information,” the Court stated, emphasizing transparency as a constitutional duty.
The EC complied partially, uploading lists within 56 hours. However, the category of “aliens” remained conspicuously absent — fueling further speculation about selective deletions and procedural opacity.
Political and Public Reactions
Political opposition parties have seized on the controversy.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said,
“If the Election Commission can identify duplicates and deceased voters, why can’t it disclose the number of aliens deleted? This secrecy is not administrative — it’s political.”
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) echoed similar concerns, alleging that the deletions disproportionately affect minority and migrant communities.
Meanwhile, the BJP defended the ECI, calling the revision a “long-overdue cleansing of electoral rolls.”
“The Commission has every right to maintain clean records and eliminate illegal entries,” said BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal.
Still, the optics remain troubling. In some constituencies, the number of deleted voters exceeds the victory margin from the last assembly election, raising questions about electoral fairness.
Civil Society Concerns: Voters in Limbo
Ground reports from Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga show many genuine voters discovering their names missing. Migrant laborers, women, and first-time voters appear to be the worst hit.
A survey by the Bihar Voter Rights Forum found that 12% of those deleted claimed to possess valid voter IDs or Aadhaar cards.
“The EC’s digital promises fall flat on the ground,” said Anjali Sharma, forum coordinator. “Citizens are learning about deletions only when they show up to vote.”
The lack of clear communication channels and category data — especially about “aliens” — undermines voter confidence and fuels distrust.
The Danger of Silence
Analysts warn that the EC’s refusal to release “alien” deletion data risks long-term damage to its credibility.
Election experts cite three key dangers:
- Loss of trust: Citizens may suspect political bias in the deletion process.
- Mass disenfranchisement: Genuine voters could be unjustly excluded.
- Legal vulnerability: Without category documentation, the EC could face contempt or constitutional challenges under Article 324.
“An institution built on public confidence cannot afford silence,” said political analyst Sanjay Kumar. “The EC must disclose or risk undermining its own integrity.”
Context: Voter List “Purification” and Past Controversies
This is not Bihar’s first brush with voter roll disputes. In Telangana (2018) and Delhi (2019), similar large-scale deletions occurred in the name of database cleaning.
However, the Bihar case stands out for the use of politically charged terms like “infiltrators” and “aliens.” Such terminology has sparked concern that administrative exercises are being coloured by political rhetoric, especially amid debates over citizenship and migration.
Where It Stands Now
As Bihar’s election dates near, the EC continues to withhold category data despite mounting pressure. The Supreme Court is expected to revisit the matter in a compliance review later this month.
Meanwhile, voters, parties, and watchdogs await one simple answer: how many alleged “aliens” were deleted from Bihar’s voter list?
Until then, the SIR may remain as controversial as the polls it was meant to safeguard.
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