An investigation has revealed the inclusion of two Pakistani women in Bihar’s voter list, causing surprise and raising questions. The women, who reportedly arrived in India approximately 70 years ago, were identified during a verification drive initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to scrutinize foreign nationals residing in India beyond their visa validity. Voter ID cards were found to have been issued in Bhagalpur, under the names Imrana Khanam and Firdousia Khanam. Both women were even verified during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process conducted before the 2025 assembly elections, and subsequently, voter ID cards were issued to them.
The discovery of the women’s names on the state’s voter list, coupled with their verification during the SIR process, prompted the election department to take action. The Booth Level Officer (BLO) in charge of verification confirmed receiving notification from the election department, based on formal communication from the Home Ministry on August 11.
Firdousia, who arrived in India on January 19, 1956, on a three-month visa, and Imrana, who came on a three-year visa, are at the center of this controversy. The Bhagalpur district administration has initiated proceedings to address the situation. Notices will be issued to both women, requiring them to provide supporting documentation.
Imrana and Firdousia reside in Bhikanpur Gumti No. 3 Tank Lane under the Ishakchak police station. In Imrana Khatoon’s case, the district administration order was received by Farzana Khatoon, and the process to remove Imrana’s name has begun.
Imrana Khanam’s statement highlights the complexities of the situation. She verified the women during the SIR process, cross-checking their passport numbers as directed by the department. She mentioned that Imrana Khanam, who is elderly and unwell, is from Pakistan and obtained her visa in 1958. The department will conduct the next phase of the investigation. The notice from the Home Ministry arrived on August 11.
Bihar launched a Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in July in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections. The initial phase involved the distribution and collection of enumeration forms between June 25 and July 25. The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported that of the 7.89 crore registered voters in Bihar as of June 24, forms from 7.24 crore voters were received by July 25.
