Bihar Elections 2025: These Are The 11 Documents Required BY EC For Voter List Revision; Aadhaar, PAN Not Accepted

Patna: The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls has become a flashpoint ahead of the state elections, particularly due to its demand for fresh documentation from those missing in the 2003 electoral rolls.

Roughly 2.93 crore people will now have to produce their proof of eligibility through one of 11 listed documents, and Aadhaar, PAN or a driving licence don’t count.

The EC says the exercise is meant to weed out ineligible voters, including “foreign illegal immigrants,” and account for migration, unreported deaths, and newly eligible voters.

But, what are the 11 documents required for new voter registrations?

1. Birth Certificate: A certificate issued by a municipal corporation, panchayat, or any authorised government body showing date and place of birth.

2. Passport: Issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, this official identity document serves as both age and citizenship proof.

3. Matriculation or Higher Education Certificate: A school-leaving certificate or university degree that includes the applicant’s date of birth.

4. Government Identity or Pension Document: An ID card or pension order issued by a central or state government office or a public sector undertaking (PSU).

5. Domicile Certificate: A permanent residence certificate issued by the district magistrate or similar competent authority.

6. Forest Rights Certificate: Provided under the Forest Rights Act to eligible individuals, mainly from tribal communities.

7. Caste Certificate: Valid for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or Other Backward Class applicants, issued by a competent government authority.

8. NRC Document: Where applicable, documents related to the National Register of Citizens can be submitted.

9. Family Register: A household register or similar record maintained by local bodies, listing family members and key details.

10. Land or Housing Allotment Paper: A certificate from a government authority proving ownership or allocation of land or housing.

11. Pre-1987 Government/PSU ID: Any identity document issued by a government body or PSU before 1987.

The list above is indicative, and not exhaustive, as final discretion lies with Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), who can also conduct field enquiries if needed.

Opposition Criticises the Move

On Wednesday, July 9, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led a Mahagathbandhan march to the Bihar Election Commission office, calling the EC’s move “a new method, an old conspiracy.”

“In Maharashtra, the mandate was stolen, now in Bihar, the right to vote… We will continue to expose these anti-constitutional forces,” he said. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad fired back, asking whether the Opposition “wants infiltrators” on the rolls.

Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called the revision more dangerous than the NRC, claiming it was aimed at politically targeting Bengal ahead of its own elections.

The process is expected to be completed before Bihar heads to the polls in November this year.