Amid protests by Opposition parties, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday uploaded Bihar’s 2003 electoral rolls to its official website. The EC clarified that those already enrolled in the 2003 electoral rolls or born to such electors - will not be required to submit any parental documents during the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The move is expected to significantly ease the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, as nearly 60 per cent of voters will no longer need to submit supporting documents. The poll body clarified those individuals whose names appear in the 2003 rolls only need to verify their details and submit the completed Enumeration Form.
As per paragraph 5 of the ECI’s instructions dated June 24 2025, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), District Electoral Officers (DEOs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are to make the 2003 electoral rolls available to all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in hard copy and online for easy access.
These can now be used as documentary proof during the submission of Enumeration Forms.
“The ease of availability of 2003 electoral rolls of Bihar would hugely facilitate the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar as now nearly 60 per cent of the total electorate, would not have to submit any documents. They have to just verify their details from the 2003 electoral rolls in the ER and submit the filled-up Enumeration Form. Both, the electors as well the BLOs, would be able to readily access these details,” the poll body said in a statement.
It further stated that as per instructions, anyone whose name is not in the 2003 Bihar electoral roll can still use the extract of 2003 electoral roll rather than providing any other documents for his or her mother or father. In such cases, no other document would be required for his or her mother or father. Only the relevant extract or details of the2003 ER would be sufficient. Such electors would have to submit the documents, only for themselves, along with the filled-up Enumeration Form.
The commission reiterated that revision of electoral rolls before every election is a legal requirement under Section 21(2)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 a process the ECI has conducted consistently for 75 years.
Additionally, it emphasised that as per Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens aged 18 or above and ordinarily residing in a constituency are eligible to be registered as voters.