Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the voter list revision work in Bihar is a “purification” process and an important step in strengthening Indian democracy.
Speaking at the Foundation Day of IIT Kanpur, his former college, Kumar said, “The world’s biggest voter list cleaning exercise was carried out in Bihar. When this process is taken to 51 crore voters across 12 states, it will be a great achievement for the Election Commission and for India.”
He added that once the revision is completed in all states, people will feel proud of both the Election Commission and the country’s democratic values.
The Election Commission recently announced that a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists will be done between November and February in 12 states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal. These states are due to hold assembly elections in 2026.
Kumar was at IIT Kanpur to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Smiling, he said, “I came here because my mother wanted me to. The four years I spent here were the most vibrant and unforgettable years of my life.”
He mentioned that today both “notes and votes” of India are handled by IIT graduates—the RBI Governor and the Chief Election Commissioner. “The lessons I learnt at IIT Kanpur have guided me throughout my career,” he said.
Kumar expressed confidence that the upcoming Bihar elections will be more transparent and efficient, setting an example for other democracies.
The Bihar Assembly, which has 243 seats, will go to polls in two phases—on November 6 and November 11. Counting of votes will be held on November 14.
Accompanied by his wife Anuradha, Kumar also shared memories of his childhood—learning to swim in the Ganga at Varanasi’s ghats, studying at Queen’s Inter College, moving to different cities with his father, and later joining IIT Kanpur after studying in Lucknow.
Recalling his journey, he said, “A boy who learnt swimming in the Ganga never thought he would one day become India’s Chief Election Commissioner.”
