Bihar’s Voter List Shake-Up: 35 Lakh Names Gone – What’s Really Happening?
Okay, let’s talk about what’s going on with Bihar’s voter list. The Election Commission just dropped a bombshell—35 lakh names wiped off the rolls. That’s like removing the entire population of a mid-sized city. And yeah, it’s causing quite the political storm. You’ve got opposition parties screaming foul, regular folks confused if they’re still registered, and everyone wondering: how did this happen?
So why did 35 lakh voters suddenly disappear?
Here’s the thing—it’s not as random as it sounds. The Election Commission calls this a “Special Intensive Revision” (sounds fancy, right?). Basically, they’re trying to clean up the mess that’s been piling up for years. Think about it like this:
- Duplicate voters: You know how sometimes people end up registered in two places? Maybe they moved and forgot to update. Boom—two entries.
- Ghost voters: Harsh truth—people pass away but their names stay on the list. That’s just not right.
- The migration factor: After COVID, lots of workers never came back to their home towns. But their votes are still registered there.
But here’s where it gets messy. Opposition parties are claiming—and I’ve heard this from local activists too—that the poor and migrants are getting hit hardest. Like that daily wage worker who moved to Punjab for work but doesn’t know his Bihar registration got canceled. That’s the kind of story that makes you think.
Who’s really affected by this cleanup?
Let me break it down:
- Migrant workers: These guys are always getting the short end. They’re out there working construction in other states while their voting rights back home vanish.
- Villagers: Not everyone has internet to check their status. I met a farmer last month who didn’t know he needed to “re-register”—he thought voting was automatic.
- Young voters: First-timers already face enough hurdles. Now add this confusion to the mix.
Check if you’re still registered—here’s how:
- Hop onto the NVSP website (it works… most of the time)
- Type in your details—name, dad’s name, the usual
- If your name’s missing? Don’t panic. There’s a fix.
Pro tip: If the website’s acting up (which happens), just walk into your local electoral office. Bring chai—those queues can be long.
Name not on the list? Do this now:
- Form 6: For new registration or if you got deleted by mistake
- Form 8: Need to correct details? This is your form
- Grab your Aadhaar card, some address proof, and get it done before deadlines hit
And listen—if you think your name was wrongly removed, raise hell. Call the EC helpline, bug your local MLA’s office. This is your vote we’re talking about.
Why Bihar first?
Honestly? Bihar’s voter lists have been… problematic. Between fake entries and duplicates, it’s been a free-for-all. The EC probably figured—start where the mess is biggest. If this cleanup works here, they’ll roll it out nationwide.
Quick answers to burning questions:
- Can deleted voters come back? Absolutely—just file Form 6
- How long does it take? Usually a month, but add buffer time—this is government work
- Will elections get affected? Only if people don’t re-register in time
Final thought:
Look, voting isn’t just a right—it’s your power. And power needs maintenance. Check your status today. If something’s wrong, fix it. Democracy’s only as strong as the people who show up.
Need help? Hit up the Election Commission site or that local neta who’s always promising things. Now’s the time to hold them to it.
Source: Navbharat Times – Default