The inclusion of two Pakistani women on the voter list in Bhagalpur, Bihar, has triggered an investigation. The women are believed to have been residing in India for around 70 years. The issue surfaced during a Ministry of Home Affairs verification of foreign nationals exceeding their visa validity periods. Voter ID cards were issued to Imrana Khanam (Imrana Khatoon) and Firdousia Khanam. The women’s details were checked during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for the 2025 assembly elections.
The BLO, responsible for the verification, stated that the election department informed them about the issue based on a formal communication from the Home Ministry on August 11.
Firdousia came to India on January 19, 1956, on a three-month visa, whereas Imrana’s visa was valid for three years. The Bhagalpur district administration has begun proceedings and will send notices to the women, requiring them to provide necessary documentation. Both women reside in Bhikanpur Gumti No. 3 Tank Lane under the Ishakchak police station.
In Imrana Khatoon’s case, Farzana Khatoon received the order to remove her name from the list. The BLO, tasked with the verification process, explained that Imrana, due to her age and poor health, was unable to speak, but the officer followed the protocols for removing her name after verifying her passport details and visa. The passport was issued in 1956, and the visa in 1958.
Bihar conducted a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in July, prior to the upcoming assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that out of 7.89 crore registered voters as of June 24, forms from 7.24 crore voters were received by July 25.
