Updated on: Nov 04, 2025 | Bihar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, specifically focusing on the border districts of Kishanganj and Araria, and found no foreign voters in either district, local officials confirmed. The exercise comes amid long-standing local concerns about potential inclusion of citizens from neighboring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh on the voter lists.

Context and Geography

Kishanganj and Araria lie along sensitive borders in Bihar. Kishanganj shares a boundary with Nepal on one side and North Bengal’s tea belt on the other, while Araria also borders Nepal. Both districts have historically been perceived as vulnerable to cross-border influences, especially in electoral rolls. The SIR, which is a comprehensive verification process of voter lists, was conducted to address such concerns.

Kishanganj District Magistrate Vishal Raj confirmed that despite initial suspicions, no voter of foreign origin was identified during the SIR. “We issued notices to some voters under doubtful domicile. They were asked to produce valid documents to prove their citizenship, and all complied,” he said.

Similarly, Araria District Magistrate Anil Kumar stated that there were no people of foreign origin on the electoral rolls. He added that around 1.4 lakh names were removed from the rolls under the categories of absent, shifted, or deceased (ASD), with all political parties duly informed of the deletions.

Local Perception and Reactions

Many residents and local leaders believe that the issue of “foreign voters” was blown out of proportion. Anupama Thakur, a village head in Galgalia block of Kishanganj, said, “SIR is largely a non-issue. Our area is a border economy, not just a border geography. Movement across the belt is about livelihoods, not ceremonial traffic.” She emphasized that aside from some newly-wed brides from Nepal, all residents have valid identity proofs.

Residents also voiced concerns over the impact of border checks on trade. Bachh Raj, a Thakurganj resident, said, “We only ask that security measures are matched with efficiency. Don’t halt trade every time there’s a scare across the fence, and don’t create unnecessary communal panic.”

Mohammad Hafiz, a tea shop owner in Kishanganj, noted that many locals work in tea gardens in North Bengal, which complicates the perception of the border. “For youth, especially diploma holders or intermediate pass boys, the local labour market shrinks with the hills. Jobs are literally tied to whether the border is open or closed,” he said.

Mohammad Islamuddin, a footwear shop owner in Galgalia, added that fragmented documentation has contributed to misunderstandings. “When BLOs and officials conducted extra verification this year, rumors spread faster than information. People were anxious that names might be removed unnecessarily. Thankfully, nothing serious happened.”

Bigger Local Concerns

While the SIR dominated headlines, residents of Kishanganj and Araria expressed that there are more pressing issuesaffecting daily life. Mohammad Mintullah, a bookseller in Kishanganj, highlighted the persistent threat from rivers like Mahananda and Kankai, which repeatedly damage roads, embankments, and local infrastructure. “Villagers are not asking for mega projects,” he said. “They are asking for preventive measures — pitching stones, strengthening spurs, and preventing breaches before the water rises. We need embankments now, not after election results.”

Conclusion

The SIR exercise in Kishanganj and Araria demonstrates the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of voter rolls in border districts, addressing concerns about potential foreign entries. Local officials confirmed no foreign voter was detected, and compliance from residents in producing valid documents was high. However, the process also highlighted broader socio-economic realities of border districts, where trade, labor, and flood management are daily concerns that often take precedence over electoral verification exercises.

While the SIR has allayed fears regarding foreign voters, residents now look forward to government action on infrastructure and preventive flood measures, underscoring the nuanced priorities of border communities in Bihar.