EROs are empowered to decide voter inclusion in the absence of documents. EC

Election Registration Officers in Bihar’s SIR Process

• The Election Commission (EC) manual on electoral rolls states that the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) can decide on a voter’s inclusion or exclusion if they lack the required documents.

• The ERO’s verdict is based on field verification, reports from booth-level officers (BLOs), and testimonials of village heads and families.

• In case of non-availability of documents, an oath or affirmation from a parent, or ‘Sarpanch’, and a visible examination by the BLO can be used as proof of age.

• EROs are Bihar Administrative Service officers who hold the rank of Senior Deputy Collector and above.

• Currently, EROs are collecting and uploading enumeration forms with attached documents.

• EROs accept that they will face challenges in cases where no documentation is available.

• Opposition parties warn that an ERO, a State government functionary, could be influenced by the ruling party.