ECI Uploads 2003 Bihar Electoral Roll, Eases Document Burden for 4.96 Crore Voters

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th June: In a major move to streamline the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has uploaded the 2003 Electoral Roll of the state on its official website: https://voters.eci.gov.in.

This initiative will benefit nearly 4.96 crore electors in Bihar, who will now not be required to submit any additional documents to verify their identity. According to the ECI, these individuals only need to verify their details from the 2003 roll and submit the filled Enumeration Form.

Additionally, children of these voters are also exempt from submitting separate parental identity documents. They may use the relevant extract from the 2003 electoral roll as sufficient proof of their parent’s eligibility.

The ECI has directed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Electoral Officers (DEOs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to make both online and hard copies of the 2003 rolls accessible to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). This is expected to significantly ease the process for voters and field officials alike.

Those not listed in the 2003 roll may still use extracts related to their parents from that roll and will only be required to provide documents for themselves.

The Election Commission reiterated that under Section 21(2)(a) of the Representation of People Act, 1950 and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, revision of electoral rolls is mandatory before each election. The ongoing SIR is part of this constitutional obligation to maintain a dynamic electoral list, accounting for changes such as deaths, migrations, and newly eligible voters turning 18.

Under Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens aged 18 and above and ordinarily residing in the constituency are eligible to be enrolled as electors.

This digital accessibility of historic electoral data is seen as a key step in simplifying voter verification, reducing red tape, and enhancing transparency in the electoral process.

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