Bangladeshi, Nepali, and Myanmar Citizens Found Registered in Bihar Voter List
Foreign Nationals Found in Bihar Voter List: Election Commission Under Pressure Amid Supreme Court, Opposition Scrutiny
Patna, Bihar (July 12, 2025) — A startling revelation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s voter rolls has raised concerns over electoral integrity ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. According to sources within the Election Commission of India (ECI), several foreign nationals from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar were discovered to be listed as voters in Bihar.
The revision exercise, launched on June 25, aims to cleanse the electoral rolls of ineligible entries and ensure that only bona fide Indian citizens are included. The process will continue until July 26, with the final voter list set to be published on September 30, 2025.
Multiple Foreign Nationals Found in Electoral Rolls
During ongoing field verifications, non-citizens were found registered across various constituencies, particularly near border districts. These individuals reportedly belong to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, raising questions about how they managed to secure registration in India’s voter database.
Election officials have confirmed that these names will be excluded from the final voter list once proper verification is completed.
“The findings are under scrutiny. Only those with verified citizenship will remain in the final electoral roll,” an ECI official stated anonymously.
Supreme Court Oversight Intensifies
The issue has caught the attention of the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing multiple petitions against the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision. Petitioners, including prominent Opposition leaders like Mahua Moitra (TMC), Manoj Kumar Jha (RJD), KC Venugopal (Congress), and Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), have raised alarm over potential misuse of the SIR process to manipulate voter rolls.
During the recent hearing, the apex court advised the ECI to ensure transparency and fairness in its verification process. The court also asked the commission to consider widely held documents such as:
- Aadhaar cards
- Voter ID
- Ration cards
While these documents are already part of the verification framework, the ECI clarified that possession of these documents does not conclusively prove Indian citizenship.
Opposition Alleges Voter Roll Manipulation
The Opposition has alleged that the SIR exercise is politically motivated, with the intention to exclude legitimate voters from marginalized communities and include illegitimate ones in key constituencies.
“We are not against voter verification. But the timing and secrecy around the SIR raise questions. This is a direct attack on democracy,” said RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha.
Congress’s KC Venugopal added, “If foreign nationals can find a place in the voter list, it reflects a systemic failure and negligence at the highest level.”
Election Commission’s Response and Protocol
The Election Commission has reiterated that it remains committed to fair elections and has taken strict steps to remove all bogus, duplicate, and foreign entries from the voter list. The field-level officials have been directed to conduct door-to-door verifications, and cases that raise red flags are being referred to the District Election Officers.
“No foreign national will be allowed to vote. We are using all available documentation and in-person verification to ensure integrity,” a senior ECI official said.
What’s Next: Key Deadlines and Actions
- July 26, 2025 – Special Intensive Revision concludes
- September 30, 2025 – Final voter list to be published
- SC hearing continues – Next hearing expected later this month