65 Lakh Voters Removed in Bihar Supreme Court Seeks Urgent Clarification from Election Commission.
In a development that has sparked widespread political and legal concern, the Supreme Court of India has sought an urgent explanation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the alleged removal of approximately 65 lakh voters Removed from the electoral rolls in Bihar. The apex court has directed the ECI to submit a detailed response by Saturday, raising critical questions about transparency, electoral integrity, and voter disenfranchisement ahead of upcoming elections.
The Controversy: What Triggered the Court’s Intervention?
The issue came to light following a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that over 65 lakh names were arbitrarily deleted from the voter rolls across various districts in Bihar. The petitioners claimed that this large-scale removal was done without proper verification, notice to voters, or adherence to legal procedures, potentially violating constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, took serious note of the matter during a brief hearing earlier this week. “If this is true, it amounts to a mass disenfranchisement of citizens,” observed the bench. The court demanded a clear explanation from the Election Commission and instructed it to provide district-wise data, reasons for deletion, and whether due process was followed.
Election Commission Under Scrutiny
The Election Commission, a constitutionally autonomous body responsible for maintaining the integrity of India’s electoral rolls, has so far not issued a public statement. However, internal sources have indicated that routine revision, duplication cleanup, and migration data may have contributed to the changes in the Bihar voter list.
Despite these administrative explanations, the sheer scale of deletion—65 lakh voters, nearly 10% of Bihar’s electorate—has raised red flags. Opposition parties have alleged that the process may have disproportionately affected marginalized communities, migrant workers, and first-time voters.
Political Reactions
The controversy has triggered sharp political reactions across party lines.
-
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav called it “a deliberate attempt to influence upcoming elections by disenfranchising the poor and the backward classes.”
-
JD(U), which is part of the ruling NDA alliance, said it is awaiting the ECI’s response but supported a fair investigation.
-
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that such large-scale deletions “can’t be a coincidence” and demanded a CBI inquiry into possible electoral manipulation.
-
The BJP, while backing the Election Commission, said “false alarms are being raised” and that any deletions would have followed due process under the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960.
What the Data Suggests (So Far)
While full details are yet to be revealed, the petition reportedly flagged specific districts—Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Siwan—where the maximum deletions occurred.
Allegations include:
-
Deletion of active voter IDs based on assumptions of migration
-
Failure to issue Form 7 (notice of deletion) to voters as required
-
Absence of door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
-
Deletion of voters who had voted as recently as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections
If substantiated, these would amount to a violation of Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which governs maintenance of electoral rolls.
Supreme Court’s Questions to ECI
The Supreme Court has directed the ECI to furnish:
-
A district-wise breakup of deleted voters
-
The legal basis and procedure followed for each deletion
-
Evidence of voter notification and hearing prior to deletion
-
Steps taken to prevent wrongful deletions
-
Mechanism to re-enroll eligible voters who were mistakenly removed
The next hearing is scheduled for Saturday, and the court has warned that it may order a special verification drive or even judicial supervision of voter list corrections if required.
Legal Framework and Past Precedents
India’s electoral roll revision is governed by:
-
Representation of the People Act, 1950
-
Electoral Registration Rules, 1960
Under the rules, any deletion must be preceded by:
-
A notice (Form 7)
-
A chance for the voter to respond
-
Field verification by a Booth Level Officer
Bihar voter list, 65 Lakh Voters Removed : Past incidents of voter deletion have occurred, but rarely at this scale. In 2019, over 11 lakh voters were removed in Telangana, leading to a partial re-verification drive. However, 65 lakh deletions in a single state is unprecedented.
What Happens Next?
-
The Election Commission’s response by Saturday will determine the next legal course.
-
If due process violations are found, the Supreme Court may order:
-
A re-verification of deletions
-
Immediate restoration of valid voters
-
Guidelines or reforms to prevent recurrence
-
For now, public trust in the electoral process hangs in the balance, especially in a politically sensitive state like Bihar, where social divisions and migration patterns already complicate voter outreach.
Citizens Urged to Check Their Voter Status
Amid growing confusion, election advocacy groups have urged Bihar citizens to:
-
Visit the NVSP portal or Voter Helpline app
-
Check if their names are still on the roll
-
File Form 6 (new registration) or Form 8 (correction) immediately if needed
65 lakh voters Removed Final Word
Bihar voter list, 65 Lakh Voters Removed in Bihar At the heart of the matter is not just administrative accuracy—but voter dignity and democratic fairness. As the country prepares for state elections and the next general cycle, how India handles voter data will increasingly shape the credibility of its democracy. The Supreme Court’s intervention signals that citizen enfranchisement remains non-negotiable—and the nation will be watching closely.