The state of Bihar is gearing up for the 2025 Assembly elections. As part of the preparations, the Bihar government has undertaken a comprehensive revision of its voter registry (electoral roll), often referred to as SIR (Systematic Intensive Revision) or a deep revision drive. The objective is to ensure that only eligible and valid names remain on the list—removing duplicates, names of deceased persons, and any ineligible entries.
According to official data, in this new draft voter list, more than 6.5 million (65 lakh) names have been struck offcompared to the previous year. Before, the total number of registered voters in Bihar was approximately 79.3 million (7.93 crore); now, that number has been reduced to around 72.4 million (7.24 crore). The government claims this is done to make the electoral process cleaner, fairer, and more trustworthy.
In this article, you will find:
- Step-by-step instructions to download and check your name in the Bihar draft voter list
- What to do if your name is not in the draft list
- The importance and purpose of the deep revision campaign (SIR)
- Key dates and deadlines to keep in mind
Let’s begin.
1. How to View or Download the Bihar Draft Voter List (2025)
Here is the stepwise process:
Step 1: Go to the Election Commission’s Website
Open your browser and visit the Election Commission of India’s official site for electoral rolls: voters.eci.gov.in
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Step 2: Select the Right Options
Once on the site:
- Choose your State (Bihar)
- Choose your District
- Choose your Assembly Constituency
- Choose the language
- Under Roll Type, choose the option “Draft 2025”
Step 3: Enter Captcha and Area Details
You will see a captcha (security code). Fill it in correctly. Then choose the Part Number and Part Name corresponding to your polling area (this is the subdivision of your constituency).
Once that is done, click on “Download Selected PDF” to get the electoral roll for your area in PDF format.
Step 4: Search for Your Name
In this PDF, you can browse or search (using “Ctrl+F” or similar) for your name. If your name appears, you are good to go.
If your name does not appear, read on to find out what you should do next.
2. What to Do If Your Name Is Not in the Draft Voter List
If you don’t find your name in the new draft list, here is how you can proceed:
Step A: Contact Your BLO (Booth Level Officer)
Each electoral area has a designated BLO. You need to approach your local BLO to inquire why your name has been omitted (if it has). Here’s how you can find the necessary contact:
- On the same ECI voters website, use “Search in Electoral Roll”
- Provide your EPIC number (Voter ID number) and state
- Fill in the captcha and click “Search”
- You will see your details; next to it is a “View Details” option
- In the details section, officials for your area are listed. One of them will be your BLO (with name and phone number)
- Contact your BLO and ask them why your name is missing and what you must do
Step B: File an Objection or Application for Inclusion
Under the deep revision campaign, there is a window (from August 1, 2025, to September 1, 2025) during which citizens can raise objections or apply for corrections. If your name has been incorrectly left out, or some detail is wrong (name spelling, address, etc.), you can file a request or objection during this period.
Make sure you act within this window, because the final voter list is scheduled for publication on September 30, 2025.
If a name is missing, failure to correct it before the final roll is published may mean that person will not be able to vote in the upcoming elections. Thus, it is critical to check early and take necessary action.
3. Why the Deep Revision (SIR) Is Necessary
The Systematic Intensive Revision (SIR) or deep revision is an established process conducted before major elections in many states. In Bihar’s case, its core purposes are:
- Ensure accuracy and validity of the voter roll — removing names of duplicates, deceased persons, or otherwise invalid entries
- Include new eligible voters, especially young people who’ve attained voting age
- Bring in migrants or temporary residents who might not have been included earlier
- Enable fairness and credibility in the electoral process
- Invite public participation and corrective feedback — people, parties, and election observers can point out errors or omissions
Under the SIR process in Bihar, the target was to complete the revision between August 1 and September 1, 2025. After that, the draft voter list is open for scrutiny and objections. The final list will be published by September 30, 2025.
Because elections demand legitimacy, the completeness and integrity of the voter list is crucial for upholding trust in the system.
4. Important Dates & Things to Note
| Event | Date / Period | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Revision (SIR) | August 1 – September 1, 2025 | Citizens can file objections, corrections, or new applications |
| Draft Voter List Published | August 1, 2025 | Initial list made available publicly |
| Objection / Inclusion Window Closes | September 1, 2025 | Last day for corrections and omissions to be addressed |
| Final Voter List Published | September 30, 2025 | The definitive list used for the upcoming elections |
Important Advice:
- Don’t wait till the last moment. Check your name right away once the draft list is published.
- If your name is missing, initiate action within the objection window.
- Make sure to keep a record of any acknowledgment or reference number when you file a request.
- Stay in touch with your BLO and local election office for updates or confirmation.
5. Summary & Final Thoughts
- Bihar has carried out a massive exercise to revise its electoral rolls, removing millions of invalid entries in preparation for the 2025 Assembly elections.
- You can download a PDF of the draft voter list via the Election Commission’s website using your state, district, assembly constituency, part number, etc.
- If your name isn’t in the draft list, you should contact your BLO and file an objection or application during the allowed timeframe (Aug 1 – Sep 1, 2025).
- The final voter list will be locked in by September 30, 2025—you must rectify any issues before that date to ensure your voting rights.