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The Election Commission of India found 36.86 lakh voters missing in Bihar. 1.61% are deceased, 2.3% moved permanently, and less than 1% are duplicate enrollments.
With one week still in hand, the ECI has collected 7.11 crore enumeration forms, accounting for close to 90% of the registered voters in the state. (Photo: PTI file)
The Election Commission of India on Friday said that 36.86 lakh voters could not be found at their registered addresses during its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar.
The poll body said that about 1.61% of the 7.90 crore registered voters are probably deceased electors (12.71 lakh) while 2.3% (18.16 lakh) have permanently shifted. Less than one per cent (5.92 lakh) of the voters have been identified as enrolled at multiple places and 6,978 are not traceable.
With one week still in hand, the ECI has collected 7.11 crore enumeration forms, accounting for close to 90% of the registered voters in the state.
Clubbed with the missing voters, the poll body has reached 95% of the total voters in the state. As of date, just five per cent – 41.10 lakh – forms are remaining to be collected.
Missing Voter Tally Grows
Earlier this week, News18 had reported 35.69 lakh missing voters, a number that has now risen to 36.86 lakh. The numbers till Monday included 12.55 lakh (1.59%) registered voters who have died; 17.37 lakh who have permanently moved out of the state (2.2%); and another 5.76 lakh who are duplicate enrolments (0.73%). The numbers may increase further as the drive completes.
The list of voters who are missing, or have not returned the forms even after multiple visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), will be shared with District Presidents of political parties and 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by them, to ascertain the exact status of each such elector before July 25.
“As per the SIR order, each of the more than 1.5 lakh BLAs can submit up to 50 forms a day after certifying them. This step is in line with the ECI’s commitment that no eligible elector is left out,” the poll body added.
Progress As Per Schedule: EC
The ECI reminded that the draft Electoral Roll for the state will be published on August 1 and invited suggestions and inputs for correction of any entry in the draft Electoral Roll.
“In accordance with the SIR order, a full one month will be given to political parties and the public to point out the requirement of any correction, or propose inclusion of any left-out names. For this, printed and digital copies of the draft Electoral Roll will be given to the recognised political parties free of cost and will be posted on the ECI website for the public. Therefore, the public may remain assured that no eligible elector will be left out,” the poll body said.
The ECI has also digitised about 87% (6.85 crore) of the enumeration forms as of date.
After disposing of claims and objections till September 25, the final Electoral Roll will be published on September 30. The ECI reminded the voters that if they are aggrieved by any decision of the ERO, they can appeal to the District Magistrate and the Chief Electoral Officer.
Elections are likely to be held in the state around October-November as the term of the assembly will end in November.
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived…Read More
Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived… Read More
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