With less than 10 days to go for the conclusion of a behemoth exercise to update electoral rolls ahead of the assembly polls in the politically sensitive state of Bihar, we may just be waiting to see the beginning of a fair poll process.

The Election Commission has already announced its intent to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the nation after completing the exercise in Bihar.

The intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, meanwhile, has dominated the political and legal discourse ever since it was initiated. It had led to multiple petitions being filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the Commission’s authority and the procedures adopted.

On July 10, 2025, the Supreme Court (SC) declined to stay the SIR but advised the poll panel to consider Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as valid documents for voter verification. This move was welcomed by Opposition parties, who viewed it as a step towards preventing arbitrary exclusions.

Now media reports suggest that as of July 15, 2025, the Election Commission has covered over 88 per cent of the 7.90 crore registered voters. This amounts to just four lakh........

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