Gyanesh Kumar hails SIR in Bihar as 'resounding success'; says pan-India rollout soon

In a significant stride towards enhancing electoral transparency and efficiency across the nation, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has declared the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar a resounding success. This monumental exercise, undertaken after a gap of 22 years in the state, was instrumental in purifying the voter lists ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The CEC's endorsement of the Bihar model now forms the basis for a revolutionary, nationwide mandate: the implementation of 100% webcasting at all polling stations in future elections across India.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar involved the colossal task of verifying and updating the names of over seven crore voters. CEC Kumar publicly lauded the tireless efforts of the election officials, including the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and over 90,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), for ensuring the timely and accurate completion of this crucial process, despite facing initial political scrutiny and objections.

In a press conference held after a two-day review visit to Bihar, the CEC announced that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a total of 17 new initiatives for the forthcoming Bihar Assembly polls, many of which are set to be adopted nationally. These reforms are primarily focused on modernizing the voting experience and maximizing transparency.

The most notable technological leap among these initiatives is the firm decision to mandate 100% webcasting across all polling stations in Bihar—a measure that is now slated for pan-India implementation. This move aims to ensure real-time, remote monitoring of poll day activities to check for any violations and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.

Other voter-friendly and administrative reforms include limiting the maximum number of electors per polling station to 1,200 to reduce overcrowding and queues. Furthermore, the ECI has introduced dedicated counters outside polling stations where voters can safely deposit their mobile phones, addressing a long-standing logistical inconvenience for the public.

To enhance the election machinery, the CEC also highlighted an increase in remuneration for BLOs, BLO supervisors, and other key polling staff, a first-time honorarium for EROs and AEROs, and the provision of enhanced training at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). These measures signal the ECI's commitment to prioritizing the efficiency and motivation of its field staff.