In a significant finding, the Election Commission of India’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar’s Kishanganj and Araria districts has reported zero instances of ‘foreign voters.’ Local officials confirmed that the revision process did not identify any individuals of suspected foreign origin on the voter lists in these border areas, which share a boundary with Nepal and are adjacent to West Bengal’s tea belt.
District magistrates from both Kishanganj and Araria stated that while some voters were initially issued notices for doubtful domicile, they successfully provided valid documentation to prove their citizenship. In Araria, approximately 1.4 lakh voters were removed from the rolls under the ‘absent, shifted, dead (ASD)’ categories, with political parties duly informed about these deletions.
Local residents and community leaders, such as Anupama Thakur, a village head in Kishanganj’s Galgalia block, commented that the issue of foreign nationals influencing polls was largely exaggerated. She noted that most residents possess valid identity proofs, with the exceptions being newly-wed brides from Nepal. Thakur emphasized that areas like Galgalia function as border economies where cross-border movement is vital for livelihoods, and frequent border checks can disrupt trade and create unnecessary panic.
Bachh Raj, a resident of Thakurganj, echoed this sentiment, calling for a balance between security and efficiency. He urged authorities not to halt trade due to border scares and to avoid creating communal tensions, adding that the SIR process had generated unwarranted hype.
The economic realities of the region were further highlighted by Mohammad Hafiz, a tea shop owner in Kishanganj. He pointed out that many young people from Kishanganj seek employment in North Bengal’s tea gardens, making border accessibility crucial for their job prospects. The phrase “Iss baar kisi ka naam kat gaya toh” (If someone’s name gets struck off this time) was frequently heard in Galgalia during the verification process, reflecting the community’s anxiety, although thankfully, no negative outcomes were reported, according to Mohammad Islamuddin, a shop owner.
Beyond electoral roll concerns, residents like Mohammad Mintullah, a bookseller in Kishanganj, stressed the more pressing issues of infrastructure. He highlighted the recurring damage to roads and embankments by the Mahananda and Kankai rivers during monsoon seasons, urging the government to prioritize preventive work such as strengthening riverbanks before the floodwaters rise.