Widespread Ignorance Threatens Electoral Inclusion by the Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) revealed that 90% of Bihar’s migrant workers living outside the state are completely unaware of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Conducted among 338 migrant workers, the study exposed a critical lack of awareness and trust in the SIR process, with 68% of respondents—both within and outside Bihar—confused about the required verification documents.

Confusion Over Documentation The survey found that only 29% of workers submitted documents from the ECI’s prescribed list during verification visits, while 45% mistakenly provided Aadhaar or voter ID cards, which are not part of the ECI’s 11 indicative documents for the exercise. This widespread misunderstanding has fueled skepticism among workers, many of whom questioned the necessity of the SIR and expressed a strong preference for the familiar process of using Aadhaar or existing voter IDs. “Despite clarifications and safeguards, confidence in the process remains low,” SWAN noted in its report, highlighting the workers’ frustration with the new system.

A Call for Better Outreach The findings underscore a significant communication gap that could jeopardize the electoral inclusion of Bihar’s migrant workforce. As the ECI pushes forward with the SIR to update voter rolls, the lack of awareness and clarity among this vulnerable group raises urgent concerns about potential disenfranchisement. Authorities must act swiftly to enhance outreach and education efforts to ensure no one is left behind in this critical electoral process.

Also Read: Govt Reveals Alarming Data! 69 Hoax Bomb Threats Hit Airlines in 2025 Alone, Over 880 Since 2022

Also Read: Blast at paint factory in Noida leaves 5 workers injured