Rahul Gandhi to Join Bihar Protest Over Electoral Roll Revision

Rahul Gandhi to Join Bihar Protest Over Electoral Roll Revision

Despite the protests, the Election Commission asserts that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is progressing smoothly with active cooperation from electors.

RMN News Political Desk
July 8, 2025

Patna, July 8, 2025 – With the State Assembly elections just months away, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Patna on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, to participate in a State-wide bandh (strike) called by Opposition parties. The protest targets several key issues, including the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the implementation of a new labour code, and the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar.

The announcement of Mr. Gandhi’s visit and the protest was made on Monday at a joint press conference. Leaders from several Opposition parties, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, State Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, and leaders from three Left parties, addressed the press.

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The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a primary point of contention for the Opposition, is being conducted in Bihar under the directive of the Election Commission of India (ECI), as per an order dated June 24, 2025. The ECI’s instructions indicate that draft electoral rolls will be issued on August 1, 2025, and will include names from enumeration forms received.

Despite the protests, the Election Commission asserts that the SIR exercise is progressing smoothly with active cooperation from electors. As of 6:00 PM on July 7, 2,87,98,460 enumeration forms have been received, which accounts for 36.47 percent of the total 7,89,69,844 (nearly 7.90 crore) electors in Bihar who were enrolled as of June 24, 2025. Notably, 1,18,49,252 enumeration forms were collected in the last 24 hours alone. There are still 18 days remaining until the last date for form submission.

Simultaneously, the uploading of these forms is underway, with 11.26 percent of the nearly 7.90 crore electors’ forms uploaded by 6:00 PM on July 7. To facilitate the process, partially filled forms are available for download on the ECI portal and the ECINET App, allowing electors to upload their filled forms themselves.

According to ECI, extensive efforts are being made on the ground to assist electors while 77,895 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are conducting house-to-house visits to help fill and collect forms, with an additional 20,603 BLOs being appointed to ensure timely completion.

Nearly 4 lakh volunteers, including government officials, NCC cadets, and NSS members, are actively working in the field to assist elderly, PwD, sick, and vulnerable populations with the SIR process. Furthermore, 239 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) covering all 243 Assembly Constituencies, 963 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state are on the ground. Moreover, 1,54,977 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various political parties are also providing active support to the SIR process.