Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 21: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday revealed that the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer's office has received 70,895 individual claims and objections related to the draft electoral rolls since their publication on August 1. However, the poll body expressed concern over the complete lack of engagement from political parties during the ongoing revision process.

Out of the total applications submitted so far, 3,449 have been resolved by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Meanwhile, the window for filing claims and objections remains open until September 1, with decisions to be made within seven days after document verification.

Despite appeals and the mobilisation of over 1.6 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) across Bihar — including 47,506 from the RJD, 17,549 from the Congress, and more than 2,000 from Left parties — the Commission noted that not a single political party has filed any formal objection or correction request in the 21 days since the draft was released.

In contrast, individual voter participation has been robust. Since August 1, as many as 2,28,793 new electors — those who turned 18 following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — have applied for inclusion in the electoral rolls.

Issuing a fresh call to action, the Commission urged both voters and parties to scrutinise the draft rolls carefully. “Submit your claims and objections to rectify any errors in the draft electoral roll of Bihar published on August 1. So far, not even a single claim or objection has been submitted by any political party,” the ECI said in a statement.

The poll body reiterated that the electoral roll preparation is conducted strictly according to the law. Eligible voters who are not listed can submit Form 6 along with Aadhaar by September 1. Conversely, objections against ineligible names can be submitted using Form 7 by any voter from the same Assembly constituency.

BLAs of recognised political parties are also authorised to submit Forms 6 and 7 on behalf of voters. Additionally, even individuals who are not registered voters in a constituency may file objections under Rule 20(3)(b) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

With the deadline approaching, the ECI continues to press for active participation to ensure clean and accurate electoral rolls ahead of future polls in Bihar.