Bihar is witnessing a rare moment in its electoral history. Its voter count is going down instead of up. For the first time since 2005, the number of registered voters in the state may decline, as shown by the latest data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
As of July 17, 2025, 72.4 million electors have been registered in Bihar, based on the forms collected under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This is a significant drop from the 78.9 million voters recorded during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. With only a few weeks left before the final voter list is published, this 6.5 million dip is raising alarms.
A Sharp Break from the Trend
Since 2005, Bihar has steadily added voters in every assembly and general election. Even in years of political turmoil or administrative changes, the number of electors always went up. Between 2015 and 2020, for example, the total number rose from 67.1 million to 73.6 million. Now, this pattern appears to be changing.
The only time a drop was recorded before was in 2005, when two assembly elections were held in the same year—first in February and again in October. Between these two polls, the number of voters went down from 52.7 million to 51.3 million, a fall of 2.5 percent. In comparison, the current decline is even sharper at over 8 percent.
Why Is the Voter Number Falling?
Several reasons may explain the sudden decrease. One major factor is that the revision process is still underway. The Election Commission has announced that people can still file claims and objections until September 1. That means more voters, especially first-timers, can still be added before the final list is out.
Young people who turn 18 on or before October 1, 2025, are also eligible to register. However, if they are unaware or unable to complete the process, they may be left out. This could be a major reason for the drop.
Migration is another factor that cannot be ignored. Bihar continues to have a high migration rate for the purpose of education and employment. According to past census data, the population in Bihar grew by 28.5 percent between 2001 and 2011, yet the number of people moving out also increased steadily.
Administrative challenges could also be affecting voter numbers. If awareness campaigns are weak or the online registration process is difficult to access, especially in rural areas, many eligible voters might not get enrolled.
Lessons from 2005
The drop in voter numbers in 2005 happened during the rollout of the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). Back then, the ECI was focused on improving voter identity through digital records. It set up registration centers in rural areas and trained staff to register as many people as possible. Coverage under EPIC rose from 57 to 67 percent in a short time.
That campaign caused a temporary fall in numbers, but eventually helped in making the voter list cleaner and more reliable. A similar effort may be needed now to ensure that the present decline is just a short-term issue.
Political Impact
Fewer voters mean fewer voices in democracy. Political parties rely on voter data to shape their campaigns and reach out to the public. If large numbers of eligible citizens are missing from the list, the election results could be unbalanced.
Youth voters play an important role in shaping Bihar’s political direction. If they are not properly included, the long-term political effect could be serious. Not only does it affect fairness, but it can also lower people’s faith in the democratic system.
Measures to correct
There is still time to correct the situation. The ECI must take strong steps to make registration easier and more accessible. Awareness drives should reach villages, schools, colleges, and workplaces. Social media, local radio, TV, and SMS campaigns can help remind people to check their names on the voter list.
Teachers, social workers, local leaders, and community organizations can also help spread the message. It’s important that everyone knows how and when to register.
Bihar’s Responsibility to Democracy
Bihar has always played a major role in India’s political story. A fall in voter numbers would not only break a two-decade trend, but also raise questions about participation and inclusion. Democracy depends on every voice being counted. The state, the people, and the Election Commission must work together to fix this drop and ensure that Bihar continues to lead with strength and participation.
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