The Election Commission of India has urged political parties to increase the appointment of booth level agents (BLA) for the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) process in Bihar, and emphasized that the parties should take action instead of expressing concern later.
According to Election Commission sources, special intensive revision work in Bihar is running smoothly as per the plan, strictly following the orders issued on 24 June 2025. The Commission has rejected any wrong information aired about the process.
This huge practice includes about one lakh trained booth level officers (BLOs) and one lakh volunteers, which are being coordinated by 243 Electoral Registration Officers, 38 District Election Officers, 9 Divisional Commissioners and Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar.
Although, registered and recognized national and state level political parties registered by the Election Commission of India have already appointed more than 1.5 lakh booth level agents at polling stations, but sources show that parties still have time to appoint additional BLA.
Election Commission sources said, “They should appoint more BLAS instead of complaining later.” He highlighted that parties should adopt an active approach in the democratic process.
According to sources, the Election Commission on Wednesday postponed the meeting with the multi -party delegation in connection with the SIR process due to lack of confirmation from the political parties participating.
The meeting, which was earlier scheduled by ECI on July 2 at 5 pm, was requested by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) via email on 30 June. The AICC legal advisor had demanded immediate appointment on behalf of several political parties, and described themselves as a lawyer of the multi -party delegation.
Following the standard process, the Commission contacted the concerned political parties to confirm their participation. However, no confirmation was received from any party till 1 July, due to which the meeting was postponed.
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that the main objective of the SIR initiative is to stop any “illegal” voter, as well as ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of voter list before the Bihar assembly elections.
Giving the example, Kumar said that, “According to the Representation of the People Act, you are entitled to vote only in the same assembly constituency where you are a general resident.”
He said that residents of Delhi who own property in Patna, should be registered not in Patna, but to vote in Delhi.
The purpose of the SIR process is to ensure comprehensive voter list by including all eligible voters and excluding ineligible voters. More than one lakh volunteers have been deployed especially to help elderly citizens, sick persons, disabled persons and marginalized groups to fill their calculations.
Kumar reiterated that its purpose is repeated, “Ensuring that no eligible voter is missed, and at the same time, no ineligible voter is included in the voter list.”
