Fri Jul 04 02:46:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Amidst controversy, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition parties fear the revision, conducted just before the Bihar assembly elections, will disenfranchise voters. Kumar assured that the revision, undertaken after 22 years, is proceeding as scheduled with the participation of all political parties and aims to include all eligible voters. The EC plans to expand this review to other states to weed out illegal foreign migrants ahead of upcoming assembly elections in several states and the 2026 elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

**News Article:**

**CEC Defends Bihar Electoral Roll Revision Amid Opposition Concerns**

*New Delhi, July 4, 2025* – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday addressed concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Bihar. His statement follows criticism from opposition parties who allege the revision, conducted ahead of the Bihar assembly elections later this year, could disenfranchise millions of voters.

“The Special Intensive Revision is running as per schedule and in a transparent manner, with the active participation of all election staff and political parties,” CEC Kumar stated. “Despite the apprehensions of some, this revision will ensure that all eligible people are included in the voters’ list.”

Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc met with the Election Commission on Wednesday, raising concerns about the timing of the revision and claiming that over two crore Bihar voters risk losing their right to vote.

The EC defended the initiative, explaining that this intensive review of electoral rolls, the first in 22 years, aims to remove foreign illegal migrants by verifying places of birth. Bihar is the first of six states to undergo the revision, with plans to expand the process to other states.

The move takes on added significance as various states intensify efforts to crack down on illegal foreign migrants from countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar. Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2026.

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