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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bihar has consistently lagged in registering births, shows govt. report
According to the 2009 Civil Registration System (CRS) report compiled by the Registrar General of India (RGI), the level of registration of births in Bihar in 2000 stood at 3.7% compared to the national average of 56.2% the same year. The total number of births registered across the country in 2000 was 1,29,46,823. For those born in 2004 and 2005, the level of registration in the State was 11.5% and 16.9% respectively. The countrywide registration was 60.4% in 2004 and 62.5% in 2005. The total registered births in 2004 and 2005 were 1,57,77,612 and 1,63,94,625 respectively. The 2009 report said that 'in order to quantify the impact of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, which are performing abysmally poor for the last so many years, the level of registration for the country excluding these two States have been worked out,' which rose to 78.3% in 2005. Significant gap 'On comparison of estimated and registered births, it is found that there is significant gap in estimated and registered births in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh,' the report said. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which is currently going on in Bihar, stipulates that those born in India after December 2, 2004 would have to provide any 11 documents, which include birth certificates, establishing their date of birth and/or place and furnish similar documents belonging to the father and mother of the applicant also. There were over 7.72 crore electors in Bihar during the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The Election Commission of India (EC) on Monday said 4.96 crore electors do not need to submit any documents as they can verify their details from the 2003 electoral rolls when the last such exercise was carried out. The Union Home Ministry amended the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 in 2023 that mandated digital birth certificates for those born after October 1, 2023 for admissions in schools, colleges and for updating electoral rolls. However, periodic CRS reports show that not all births are registered. On March 17, the RGI office cautioned private and government hospitals to report incidents of births and deaths within 21 days after it was found that many medical institutions were flouting the law adding that nearly 10% births were not getting registered. 'To get an idea as to the coverage of civil registration in the country, the data generated from the Civil Registration System (CRS) has been compared with corresponding estimates thrown up by the Sample Registration System (SRS),' the 2009 report said. CRS and SRS While CRS is the actual numbers, SRS is the largest demographic survey in the country mandated to provide annual estimates of fertility and mortality indicators at the State and national level. The EC's move to conduct SIR has invited criticism from Opposition parties terming it as a move to bring the National Register of Citizens (NRC) through the backdoor. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi said the government should furnish the data on total number of illegal migrants in the country. 'How is the BLO (Booth Level Officer) going to scrutinise the documents? Why should people pay penalty for government not keeping a check on illegal migrants. The officials can also report people if they doubt their citizenship. We want to know the criteria that was followed during the SIR in 2003,' Mr. Owaisi said. In 2022, as many as 2,54,39,164 births were registered. In 2022, Bihar was among 14 States where the 50%-80% births were registered in the stipulated 21-day period. The State registered 71% births within the prescribed limit of 21-days.
India Today
9 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why the Special Intensive Revision of Bihar voter rolls is an election flashpoint
Bihar stands at a pivotal moment as its electoral machinery embarks on the first full-scale revision of voter rolls since 2003. This Special Intensive Revision (SIR) promises to enhance the accuracy of the registers but has also ignited fierce debate over its timing, scope and potential to disenfranchise vulnerable the October-November assembly elections draw near, the state's electorate watches closely to see whether this exercise will bolster democratic integrity or erode public IS THE SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION?In a bid to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process, the Election Commission (EC) has embarked on SIR of Bihar's voter rolls—its first comprehensive overhaul since 2003. From June 25 to September 30, this painstaking exercise will require nearly 30 million residents to furnish documentary proof of their date and place of birth and, for those born after 1987, similar evidence for each parent. The declared aim is to weed out duplicate entries, correct inaccuracies and accommodate demographic shifts caused by migration and urbanisation, thereby ensuring that every genuine elector is duly registered and no ineligible individual remains on the Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of People Act, 1950, the EC is empowered—and obligated—to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll. The commission has previously exercised these powers in 1952-56, 1957, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1983-84, 1987-89, 1992, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003 and 2004 to undertake intensive revisions across various BIHAR CASE STUDYBihar's electorate now numbers 78.02 million across 243 assembly constituencies. Of these, approximately 49.6 million—roughly 60 per cent—were confirmed in the January 1, 2003 revision and need only submit an extract from that roll. The remaining 29.4 million voters must produce at least one document from an extensive list of sanctioned proofs, ranging from government-issued identity cards and pension payment orders to birth certificates, passports, educational credentials and caste or land TIMINGThe timing of the SIR could not be more politically charged. Scheduled just months before the assembly elections, the exercise has generated fervent debate over its potential impact on the polls. Proponents argue that the revision is overdue and essential to reflect the state's evolving demography. They point to rapid urban growth and mass labour migration—estimates suggest more than 7 per cent of Bihar's population currently works outside the state—and insist that outdated rolls risk both under? and over?representation in some critics see a less benign motive. Opposition parties, including the Congress and regional stalwarts, such as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, have decried the exercise as tantamount to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process. They warn that asking for extensive proof of birth and parentage—especially mere months before an election—could disenfranchise the state's most vulnerable populations. 'This is a thinly veiled mechanism to disenfranchise the poor and marginalised,' alleges Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Opposition in Bihar's Vidhan REQUIREMENTSUnder the SIR guidelines, qualifying documents include government identity papers—such as identity cards or Pension Payment Orders issued to central or state government employees and pensioners, or by public sector undertakings (PSUs)—as well as identity certificates issued by local bodies, banks, post offices, Life Insurance Corporation or PSUs before July 1, registrations, namely birth certificates from competent authorities and valid passports, are accepted alongside educational credentials such as matriculation or other academic certificates from recognised boards and universities. Permanent residence certificates conferred by state authorities serve as proof of residency, while forest rights certificates and land or housing allotment documents from government agencies cover forest and land category certificates (SC/ST/OBC) issued by the competent authority, entries in the NRC (where applicable) and family registers maintained by state or local administrations complete the list of sanctioned those born before July 1, 1987 must prove their own date or place of birth; those born between July 1, 1987 and December 2, 2004 must furnish similar proof for one parent; and those born after December 2, 2004 must provide documentation for both parents. Failure to comply by the deadline could result in removal from the electoral OF DISENFRANCHISEMENTAt the core of the controversy lies a fear that substantial segments of Bihar's electorate—particularly among rural, economically disadvantaged and minority communities—may lack access to the necessary paperwork. In remote districts, formal record?keeping has historically been inconsistent, leading many families to lack birth certificates or other official documents. Migrant labourers, who constitute a significant portion of the state's workforce, may find themselves unable to produce parental records while working far from argue that even if well?intentioned, the SIR's stringent requirements risk disenfranchising Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has further underscored this vulnerability, observing that of the 11 documents prescribed by the EC, only three are reasonably common: a birth certificate, a matriculation certificate and a caste certificate. He cites data from the National Family Health Survey-3 (2005–06), which found that a mere 2.8?per cent of children possessed a birth certificate, implying that those born between 1965 and 1985 rarely had certificates issued at to NFHS-2, only 10-13?per cent of today's 40-60?year?olds completed secondary schooling, and thus very few can present a matriculation certificate. Similarly, the India Human Development Survey (2011-12) revealed that only around 20?per cent of marginalised castes and 25?per cent of OBCs (Other Backward Classes) hold a caste certificate, with an even lower proportion among upper short, the vast majority of Biharis lack the requisite papers to establish their own or their parents' birth details, heightening fears of widespread disenfranchisement. In a state where literacy and administrative awareness remain uneven, the burden of proof may prove insurmountable for TO NRCDetractors have drawn direct parallels between the SIR and the NRC exercise in Assam. Mamata decried Bihar's SIR as 'an NRC by another name', accusing the EC of using the guise of electoral accuracy to pursue a citizenship-verification EC has vigorously rejected such comparisons, insisting that the SIR is rooted in constitutional and statutory provisions governing electoral rolls—not citizenship status. Yet the timing and scale of the documentation demands, coupled with vaguely worded rationales citing illegal immigration and duplicate enrolments, have fuelled widespread IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTEDadvertisementEach assembly constituency's Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) has been charged with the dual mandate of enrolling every legitimate voter and excluding ineligible Opposition parties have promised to approach the courts, seeking to extend deadlines and reduce documentation hurdles, a section of civil society organisations are calling for biometric or alternative identification methods to complement paper proofs. Meanwhile, the commission stresses that the SIR's procedures are transparent and that no voter will be removed without due process, including the right to outcome of the SIR will not merely affect electoral figures; it may shape public confidence in India's democracy. If carried out fairly and inclusively, the exercise could enhance the legitimacy of future elections and restore faith in the registers. Conversely, any perception of mass disenfranchisement could deepen social divisions, undermine trust in the EC and render the 2025 Bihar polls Bihar braces for its most consequential electoral revision in 22 years, the stakes are high. The state's diverse electorate—comprising rural labourers, urban professionals, women entering politics for the first time, and religious minorities—will gauge the exercise's fairness. The SIR may yet serve as a model for future revisions nationwide or it may become a cautionary tale of administrative overreach and political SIR is at once a monumental administrative undertaking and a political flashpoint. In demanding extensive proof from millions of voters, the EC seeks to modernise and sanitise the rolls. Yet the spectre of disenfranchisement looms large, casting doubts on the exercise's inclusivity. With polls looming on the horizon, the commission's ability to balance accuracy with empathy will determine not only the fate of individual voters but also the broader health of Bihar's to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
News18
10 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Bihar's Electoral Roll Overhaul: No Eligible Voter Left Out, No Ineligible Included, CEC Tells News18
Bihar's Electoral Roll Overhaul: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) came in light of increasing demand of political parties to cleanse electoral rolls based on eligibility conditions The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar was initiated to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded, and no ineligible entry makes it into the rolls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar told News18. Speaking to News18, the CEC said that more than one lakh volunteers have also been deployed to assist the elderly, sick, persons with disabilities (PwD) and marginalised groups in filling up their Enumeration Forms so that they don't face any hardship. 'The objective of the SIR is to ensure that no eligible voter is left out, and at the same time, no ineligible voter is included in the electoral roll," he said. The revision, in addition to regular annual updation, came in light of increasing demand of all political parties to cleanse the electoral rolls based on eligibility conditions such as residence, age and Indian citizenship in the recent past. Many ineligible persons have been able to procure the voter cards as neither intensive revision was conducted periodically since 2004 nor eligibility documents were readily available. Therefore, in case of complaints and objections by any elector or political party, it becomes difficult to enquire into such complaints in a rational manner. 9 intensive revisions between 1952 and 2004 The electoral rolls were prepared afresh through various intensive revisions, either across the country or in parts nine times in the 52-year period between 1952 and 2004 – once nearly every six years on average. However, intensive revision has not been done in the last 22 years, News18 has learnt. The conduct of routine summary revision of electoral rolls is generally based on oral submissions and cursory field-level verification rather than any documentary evidence, resulting in increasing number of complaints on the existing state of electoral rolls. The current level of technology enables collection of eligibility documents once and for all. This repository will enable enquiry into any specific complaint against any elector anytime based on available documents rather than depending on just unverifiable oral submissions made to Booth Level Officers (BLO). SIR makes BLOs accountable This process will increase accountability of over 10 lakh BLOs and over 20,000 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) to ensure that each name in the electoral roll is of an eligible elector. Such accountability can always be tested by DEO and/or CEO after conducting an inquiry, whether on complaint or suo motu, if necessary, based on documentary evidence already uploaded. Why only Bihar? The drive is being conducted in Bihar as it is the only state that is going for polls this year. A poll body official told News18 that similar drives may also be conducted in other parts of the country once the Bihar election is over. 'Revision of electoral roll mandatory' Earlier in the day, the poll body issued a statement saying that revision of electoral roll is mandatory before every election as per Section 21(2)(a) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. 'The ECI has been conducting annual revisions, intensive as well as summary, for 75 years now. This exercise is required as the electoral roll is always a dynamic list that keeps changing due to deaths, shifting of people due to various reasons such as migration due to occupation, education, or marriage, addition of new voters who have turned 18," the poll body added. The EC also stated that Article 326 of the Constitution specifies the eligibility to become an elector. 'Only Indian citizens, above 18 years of age and ordinary residents in that constituency, are eligible to be registered as an elector," they explained. Why SIR? As against the regular annual revisions, the SIR is necessary to ensure that the names of all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll, enabling them to exercise their right to vote, and to also ensure that no ineligible voter is included in the electoral rolls. Also, the process adds complete transparency in the process of addition or deletion of electors in the electoral rolls through active participation of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by all national and state political parties. On Saturday, News18 reported that the ECI has allowed the recognised national and state political parties to continue to appoint BLAs in addition to the 1.55 lakh already deployed. Earlier in June, the poll body had said that various reasons such as 'rapid urbanization, frequent migration, non-reporting of deaths and inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants necessitate the conduct of an intensive revision" so as to ensure democratic integrity and preparation of error-free electoral rolls. Migrants a major factor In some constituencies, the number of migrants has become more than the victory margins, which can affect democratic integrity, a poll body official explained to News18. As per the Census 2011, there were 454 million migrants in India up from 315 million in 2001. Even as per the Migration in India Report 2021, the percentage of migrants in the population was estimated at around 29%, which on average is more than the winning margin in many of the constituencies. The SIR is also necessary to check people with multiple voter cards. 'Many persons enroll in different places by giving different unmatched details to procure more than one voter card in different parts of the country, either knowingly or unknowingly. This issue can only be resolved through SIR. It is practically impossible to detect such cases through software tools," the official added. top videos View all Many persons are ordinary residents of one place and have got their voter cards, officially called the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), there, but have somehow been successful in retaining their earlier EPIC before migration, which is a criminal offence. 'The photographs of voters in EPIC are also so old that matching the photographs and eliminating the same voters with different EPICs through use of technology is hardly reliable. Thus, new photographs of electors will help in identifying such cases," they explained. About the Author Nivedita Singh 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 @ More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : 2025 Bihar elections Election Commission of India (ECI) electoral roll news18 specials Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 30, 2025, 18:37 IST News india Bihar's Electoral Roll Overhaul: No Eligible Voter Left Out, No Ineligible Included, CEC Tells News18
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Voters born after 1987 in Bihar do not need to produce documents for parents if latter's names are there in 2003 Electoral Rolls: ECI
Amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls for Bihar, the Election Commission of India on Monday (June 30, 2025) uploaded the 2003 voter rolls and clarified that those born after 1987 need not give the proof of birth of their parents if the latter's names figure in the 2003 rolls. The poll body said that an extract of the voter rolls will suffice in such cases. The ECI said in an official statement that the 2003 Electoral Roll of Bihar, comprising details of 4.96 crore electors have been uploaded on its website. In its detailed instructions on the SIR on June 24, the ECI had mentioned that the CEO/DEO/ERO shall make the Electoral Rolls with qualifying date of January 1, 2003, freely available to all Booth Level Officers (BLO) in hard copy, as well as online on their website for anyone to download and use as documentary evidence while submitting their Enumeration Form. '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% 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 statement said. The poll body added that as per instructions, anyone whose name is not in the 2003 Bihar Electoral Rolls 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/her mother or father. Only the relevant extract/details of the 2003 ER would be sufficient. Such electors would have to submit the documents, only for themselves, along with the filled-up Enumeration Form'. #Bihar SIR: 2003 Electoral Rolls Uploaded on #ECI Website ✅ 4.96 crore electors do not need to submit any documents ✅ Children of these 4.96 crore electors need not submit any other document relating to their parents Read more : — Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) June 30, 2025 According to the guidelines issued by ECI, any person whose name is not recorded in the 2003 Electoral Rolls shall for establishing their eligibility to be an elector submit from amongst a wide range of eligible government documents. Apart from the enumeration form, an additional Declaration Form shall also be required to be filled by the applicant to support the declaration made therein. For those born before July 1, 1987, any document establishing the date and place of birth of self is required, those born between July 1, 1987 to December 2, 2002, documents have to be given as proof of place and date of birth of self and either of the parents and those born after Dec 2, 2004, proof of place and date of birth has to be given of self and both parents. The poll body further said that Article 326 of the Constitution specifies the eligibility to become an elector. Only Indian citizens, above 18 years and ordinary residents in that constituency, are eligible to be registered as an elector.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Electoral roll must be updated to remove ineligible names, add new voters: EC
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Amid protests by opposition parties, the Election Commission on Monday said the special intensive revision is needed as the electoral roll keeps changing due to a variety of reasons and the Constitution mandates it to ensure that only eligible citizens are part of the voters' list and those not, do not get to opposition parties have said that the intensive revision carries the risk of willful exclusion of voters using the state a statement, the poll panel said the revision of electoral rolls is must as it is a dynamic list which keeps changing due to deaths, shifting of people due to migration and addition of new voters who have turned 18."Further, Article 326 of the Constitution specifies the eligibility to become an elector. Only Indian citizens, above 18 years and ordinary residents in that constituency, are eligible to be registered as an elector," it Election Commission said it has uploaded the 2003 electoral roll of Bihar comprising details of 4.96 crore electors, on its can be used by those in the 2003 list as a documentary evidence while submitting their enumeration also said that the ease of availability of 2003 electoral rolls of Bihar -- published after the last intensive review -- would hugely facilitate the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state as now nearly 60 per cent of the total electorate would not have to submit any have to just verify their details from the 2003 electoral rolls and submit the filled-up enumeration the electors as well the booth level officers (BLOs) would be able to readily access these noted that 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/her mother or such cases, no other document would be required for his/her mother or father. Only the relevant extract/details of the 2003 ER would be electors would have to submit the documents only for themselves along with the filled-up enumeration asserted that before every election, revision of electoral roll is mandatory according to the Representation of People Act 1950 and Rule 25 of the Registration of Elector Rules 1960. EC has been conducting annual revisions, intensive as well as summary revision for 75 years now.
