EC Clarifies Rise of 3 Lakh Voters After Final List in Bihar: “All Additions Were Legal and Procedural

Amid questions surrounding the addition of nearly 3 lakh new voters after the publication of the final electoral roll in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a detailed clarification. The explanation comes a week after the declaration of results for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 and in response to allegations raised by opposition parties regarding “vote manipulation.”

Why Did the Voter Count Increase After the Final List?

The Election Commission stated that the figure of 7.42 crore voters, mentioned on October 6, was based on data available after the final publication of the electoral roll on September 30—following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

However, the commission highlighted that as per electoral laws, even after the final list is released, eligible citizens are allowed to apply for inclusion of their names up to 10 days before the last date of nomination for each phase of the election.

How the Additional 3 Lakh Names Were Added

According to the ECI, all valid applications received between October 1 and the cut-off dates were thoroughly verified. Eligible voters were added to ensure no citizen was denied the right to vote.

These additions, made during the nomination window, contributed to the increase of approximately 3 lakh voters—a number the ECI included in its press release after polling.

EC Responds to Allegations of ‘Vote Theft’

Opposition parties such as the Congress and RJD had accused the EC of facilitating “large-scale vote theft,” pointing to the rise in voter numbers after the final electoral roll. Social media was also abuzz with claims of discrepancies.

The Election Commission’s clarification firmly counters these allegations, describing the increase as a routine and legally mandated process, not an irregularity.

Election Outcome Context

The controversy intensified due to the sweeping victory of the NDA, which secured 202 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly. The RJD-led Mahagathbandhan suffered a major setback, shrinking from 75 seats in 2020 to just 25 seats in 2025—its worst performance in years.

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