In the Bihar voter list case, the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to publish names and reasons for excluding 65 lakh voters from the draft electoral roll, ensuring transparency ahead of state elections.
Bihar Voter List Case: Supreme Court Directs Full Disclosure of 65 Lakh Voter Exclusions
New Delhi, August 14, 2025 – In a landmark intervention in the Bihar voter list case, the Supreme Court has ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publicly release the names of nearly 65 lakh voters excluded from the state’s draft electoral roll, along with specific reasons for each removal. The decision, delivered on Thursday during the fifth day of hearings on a petition filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), is aimed at ensuring transparency and preventing wrongful disenfranchisement ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Background of the Bihar Voter List Case
The Bihar voter list case began after ADR, a non-profit advocating electoral reforms, challenged the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral roll published on August 1, 2025. ADR claimed that almost 65 lakh voters — nearly 10% of Bihar’s estimated 7 crore electorate — were removed without adequate public disclosure.
The petition argued that such large-scale deletions risked disenfranchising legitimate voters, particularly from marginalized communities, and violated democratic principles of transparency and fairness.
Supreme Court’s Directive in the Bihar Voter List Case
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi instructed the ECI to:
- Publish a district-wise list of excluded voters on the websites of District Electoral Officers.
- Mention specific reasons for each exclusion in a searchable, user-friendly format.
- Disseminate the information through television, print, radio, and translations in local languages.
Justice Surya Kant stated: “The right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, and any process that results in exclusion must be transparent and justifiable. The Election Commission must ensure citizens can verify and challenge wrongful deletions.”
This directive marks a key turning point in the Bihar voter list case, as it mandates unprecedented public disclosure by the ECI.
ECI’s Reasons for Voter Exclusions
In earlier court submissions, the ECI explained that the 65 lakh deletions under the SIR process were due to:
- Deceased voters – About 22 lakh names removed after confirmation of death.
- Permanent migration or untraceability – Nearly 36 lakh voters excluded after relocation or inability to verify addresses.
- Duplicate entries – Around 7 lakh cases identified and removed.
While the ECI maintains these steps were essential to clean up the electoral roll, critics in the Bihar voter list case argue that without immediate public access to names and reasons, legitimate voters cannot seek timely reinstatement.
Must Read: Older Vehicles in Delhi-NCR Get Relief from Supreme Court
Political and Public Reactions to the Bihar Voter List Case
Reactions have been sharply divided. Civil society groups welcomed the clean-up efforts but urged caution to avoid disenfranchisement. Opposition leaders from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress accused the ECI of disproportionately removing voters from certain caste and socio-economic groups.
RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha remarked that the Bihar voter list case “is not just about numbers; it’s about safeguarding the democratic rights of millions of Biharis.”
ADR’s Arguments in the Bihar Voter List Case
Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing ADR, argued that failing to publish names and reasons violated principles of natural justice. Without access to this information, he said, affected voters could not challenge wrongful deletions before the final list is published. ADR also alleged lapses in field verification and the use of outdated data in the SIR process.
Next Steps and Court Monitoring
The ECI has committed to publishing the lists within the court-mandated timeframe and has promised to set up district-level grievance redressal mechanisms. Voters whose names are missing can approach their District Electoral Officer with proof for reinstatement.
The Supreme Court will review compliance in September 2025. The outcome of the Bihar voter list case is expected to influence electoral roll revision practices across India.
Must Read: Why Trump and Putin Chose Alaska: Facts, History, and Global Importance
Broader Implications of the Bihar Voter List Case
This judgment strengthens the principle that voter roll revisions must be transparent, accessible, and accountable. By making it mandatory to disclose voter exclusions, the Bihar voter list case sets a precedent for other states where similar revisions have sparked controversy.
With Bihar preparing for high-stakes assembly elections later this year, the ECI’s adherence to the Supreme Court’s order will be closely monitored by political parties, civil society, and voters.