Election Commission tightens voter verification norms in Bihar; new applicants must submit parents’ SIR details

A key change has been made to Bihar's voter enrolment process. Find out why new applicants must now provide their parents' SIR details and what the Election Commission hopes to achieve

PGurus Newsdesk

July 13, 2026

The Election Commission has updated Bihar's voter registration process, requiring first-time applicants to provide parents' SIR details as part of electoral roll verification

EC revised Bihar’s voter enrolment process, requiring new applicants to provide details linked to their parents’ SIR records to strengthen electoral roll verification

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new requirement for first-time voters seeking enrolment in Bihar’s electoral rolls. Applicants filing Form 6 for inclusion as new voters will now have to provide details of their parents’ Special Intensive Revision (SIR) records as part of the verification process. The move is aimed at strengthening the accuracy of electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections.

The revised requirement extends a provision that was earlier applicable only to certain categories of electors. According to the poll panel, linking applicants with their parents’ SIR records will simplify verification and help reduce the need for additional supporting documents in many cases.

New rule for fresh voter registration

Under the updated guidelines, new applicants in Bihar must furnish details relating to their parents’ SIR records while submitting Form 6 for inclusion in the electoral roll. Election officials said the measure is intended to improve the integrity of the voter database by enabling easier verification of family-linked electoral records.

The Election Commission clarified that the requirement has been introduced through administrative instructions, while Form 6 itself remains unchanged.

Aim is faster and more accurate verification

According to the Election Commission, the new process is expected to streamline enrolment by allowing officials to map new applicants to existing voter records, thereby reducing paperwork in many cases. The exercise forms part of the broader Special Intensive Revision aimed at ensuring electoral rolls remain accurate and up to date.

Part of Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision exercise

The latest directive comes as Bihar continues its Special Intensive Revision (SIR), an exercise designed to remove duplicate, deceased or ineligible entries while ensuring eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls. Election officials have maintained that the exercise is intended to enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral database.

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