The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently published the draft electoral roll for Bihar as part of its Special Summary Revision (SIR). The updated list shows a clear change in the state’s voter demography, largely caused by internal migration—movement within the state—and external migration, including relocation to other states and countries. This widespread migration has led to a significant and uniform deletion of voters across all 38 districts of Bihar.
Patna Tops in Voter Removal
Patna, the state’s largest district with 14 assembly seats, recorded the highest number of voter deletions. A total of 3,95,500 names were removed from the voter list. In seven of these 14 constituencies, deletions were higher than the state average of 27,012 votes per seat.
In the 2020 assembly elections:
-
RJD won six seats
-
BJP won five
-
CPI (ML) secured two
-
Congress took one
This mix of parties makes Patna a politically competitive district, now facing a notable demographic transformation.
Madhubani Follows with High Out-Migration
Madhubani, known for its massive out-migration, especially to other Indian states, came in second with 3,53,545 voter deletions. In the 2020 elections:
-
BJP won five out of 10 seats
-
JDU won three
-
RJD managed two
The BJP-JDU alliance has traditionally dominated here, but the shrinking voter base could influence future outcomes.
East Champaran Also Impacted
In East Champaran, a BJP-JDU stronghold, the two parties won eight out of 11 assembly seats in 2020—seven for BJP and one for JDU. RJD won three. This district also experienced large-scale voter deletions, reflecting broader demographic changes similar to neighboring regions.
Gopalganj Shrinks Due to Floods and Migration
Gopalganj, with six constituencies, reported a voter drop of 3,10,363 names. In 2020:
-
BJP, JDU, and RJD won two seats each
Flooding, combined with a lack of infrastructure, has driven people to nearby Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, especially for healthcare and education. Moreover, the district sees significant migration to Gulf countries, further reducing its active voter population.
Samastipur Reflects Tight Political Race, Falling Numbers
In Samastipur, 2,83,955 names were deleted. This district has always seen a tight battle between the NDA and RJD. In the 2020 election:
-
RJD took four seats
-
JDU got three
-
BJP secured two
-
CPI (ML) won one
The shifting demography here may influence how close future contests turn out to be.
Seemanchal’s Purnia Sees Notable Deletions
In Seemanchal, only Purnia features in the top 10 districts with the highest deletions. The draft roll shows 2,73,920 voters removed from seven assembly constituencies. Though less affected than other regions, Purnia’s numbers still show a visible trend of outward migration.
Migration Redefining Bihar’s Electoral Landscape
The draft voter list shows that migration—both within the state and beyond its borders—is a major factor changing Bihar’s electoral map. These changes aren’t limited to urban areas but extend to rural, flood-prone, and economically struggling districts.
From family relocations for better education and healthcare to young people heading abroad for work, Bihar’s changing population patterns are having a direct impact on voter rolls—shrinking the electorate in both politically contested and dominant regions.
With these demographic shifts now documented, political parties may need to rethink strategies ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
