The Election Commission of India has issued a detailed clarification regarding a minor discrepancy in voter numbers for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, following questions raised by the Congress party.
The Voter Number Discrepancy
Congress had highlighted a difference between two official Election Commission statements. The October 6 press note mentioned 7.42 crore voters, while the October 11 post-poll press statement cited 7.45 crore electorate - creating a gap of approximately 3 lakh voters.
EC's Official Explanation
On Saturday, the Election Commission explained that this increase was completely legitimate and resulted from normal electoral procedures. According to election law, eligible citizens can apply for voter enrollment until 10 days prior to the last date of nomination for each phase of voting.
An EC official stated: "Between October 1 and the deadline of 10 days prior to the last date of nomination for both phases, all valid applications for enrolment were scrutinised and eligible electors added so as to ensure that they were not denied their right to vote."
Legal Voter Enrollment Process
The nearly 3 lakh additions to the electoral rolls occurred between October 1, 2025 and ten days before the final nomination date for both election phases. This process ensures that every eligible voter gets the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
The Election Commission emphasized that this is standard procedure followed in all elections across India to maintain the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral system.
