Hello,
The Election Commission of India has ordered the wholesale revision of Bihar’s Electoral Roll. All voters must prove their identity, citizenship, and place of stay from scratch differently.
In our investigation, we uncovered records that show that Bihar had already completed a special summary revision of the electoral roll by January 2025. It was found by state election officials to be robust, going by the standard metrics they use to review changes over time. They were updating the roll even into June. Then something changed. Within days, in a shock to everyone, the Election Commission of India scrapped the entire exercise and the updated 2025 electoral roll, deeming it faulty.
It ordered millions of voters who have voted in the past to revalidate their identity, citizenship and ordinary place of residence. The method ECI has ordered to be used for voter confirmation is unprecedented. It goes beyond the rules and previous practices to differentiate between how different sets of citizens get to prove their right to vote.
Chaos has ensued. We followed up on the investigation by speaking with officials in Bihar who are conducting the enumeration process. And, they told us the story of chaos unfolding on the ground. But the government claims all is well.
Read the investigation here: The Bihar Electoral Roll Investigation
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With regards,
Nitin Sethi
Founding Editor.