Ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections, the Election Commission has undertaken a major reorganisation of polling booths under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. The revision will change the polling booth addresses for a large number of voters due to reorganisation, removal of deceased voters, duplicate EPIC entries, permanent migrations, and inclusion of new voters.

To make voting easier and more accessible, the number of voters per booth has been reduced from 1,500 to 1,200. As a result, the total number of polling booths in the state has increased from 77,895 to 90,712. This move is expected to simplify the voting process and reduce long queues.

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So far, out of 65.64 lakh names removed from the draft list, 22.34 lakh were deceased, 36.28 lakh had permanently migrated, and seven lakh had duplicate entries in multiple areas.

The Commission has also directed the establishment of polling stations within apartment complexes and residential colonies, particularly in urban areas like Patna, where distance and long queues have previously discouraged voter turnout.

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According to the 2024 KAP survey, 6.3 per cent of voters cited distance and 2.4 per cent cited long queues as reasons for not voting. The new strategy aims to improve accessibility and participation in these areas.