New Delhi/Patna, 30 Sept

The total number of electors in poll-bound Bihar have come down by nearly 47 lakh to 7.42 crore in the final electoral roll published on Tuesday from 7.89 crore before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list carried out by the Election Commission.

The final figure has, however, increased by 17.87 lakh from 7.24 crore electors named in the draft list issued on 1 August, which had removed 65 lakh voters from the original list on various accounts, including deaths, migration and duplication of voters.

While 21.53 lakh new electors have been added to the draft list, 3.66 lakh names have been removed from there, resulting in a net increase of 17.87 lakh.

The final figure may change marginally after supplementary lists are published during the poll process.

The EC's exercise has drawn sharp protests from the Opposition, which has accused the poll watchdog of working at the behest of the ruling BJP, a charge it has flatly rejected.

The Commission has asserted that it will not allow any eligible citizen to be left out of the voter list and at the same time, not let any ineligible person be on the list.

The Assembly election schedule is likely to be announced by the EC next week and the polls are expected to be held soon after Chhath, an important festival in Bihar that would be celebrated in the last week of October.

As of June 24 this year, when the SIRorders were issued by the poll authority, the state had 7.89 crore electors.

The EC said that 3.66 lakh voters were removed from the draft roll while 21.53 lakh were added following the month-long evaluation of documents submitted by prospective voters and objections filed by parties and individuals.

The poll authority is visiting Patna on 4 and 5 October to take stock of the poll preparedness.

The term of the 243-member Bihar Assemblyends on 22 November.

The last Assembly elections in Bihar were held in three phases amid the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EC said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has thanked all electors of Bihar, poll officials and political parties for the successful completion of the SIR after a gap of 22 years.