Patna: Triggering surprise and raising eyebrows, latest Election Commission of India (ECI) data released on Thursday identified 40,601 centenarian voters in Bihar and another 143 voters above 120 years of age, ready to cast their votes in the upcoming assembly elections. The assembly elections in the state are scheduled to be held this year and almost all political parties have already gone into poll mode, launching yatras or holding meetings to woo voters. According to the data released by the office of the chief electoral officer in Bihar on Thursday, there are 40,601 voters —17,445 males, 23,153 females—in the age group of 100-109. Additionally, there are 247 voters—120 males and 127 females—in the age group of 110-119 and another 143 voters above 120 years of age. Interestingly, of the 143 voters who are above 120, the number of males and females is almost equal—74 males and 69 females. The number of electorate in poll-bound Bihar has increased significantly to over 7.80 crore—an increase of around 16 lakh voters—since last year’s Lok Sabha elections, according to the latest ECI data. The maximum increase in the number of electorate was noticed in the 30-39 and 40-49 age groups, indicating how the young population has become aware of their voting rights. Some experts believe the data on elderly population could be flawed and must be verified. Commenting on the data, political analyst DM Diwakar said it was heartening to see so many old voters in the state, but the figures need to be re-evaluated. “We know about the centenarian voters around us, but the presence of a significant number of voters above 120 needs to be verified,” Diwakar said. However, an ECI official claimed the data was accurate. “Our data is 100% accurate. When we conducted a survey to find out the number of voters above 100 in the state some two years back, a similar number of such voters were found,” a senior ECI official said. The ECI’s data also triggered a hot debate among medical professionals who believe the advancement in medical fields, coupled with growing health consciousness among the people, may have worked wonders in the state. “We read about the good number of old populations in Japan, but we are now happy to see Bihar also setting an example. This is nothing less than a miracle,” said Dr Rajiv Ranjan, a health expert, highlighting that changes in people’s lifestyles might have led to the improvement in life span. Dr Amarendra Prasad Singh from the geriatrics department at Patna Medical College and Hospital said the life expectancy rate, in general, has indeed increased and credited control over communicable and non-communicable diseases for this rosy picture. According to details provided by the office of the chief electoral officer, Bihar, the total number of voters in Bihar currently is 7,80,22,933—marking a noteworthy increase in the state’s voter base as the total number of electorate, as revealed by the ECI during a press conference in Patna on February 21 last year, stood at 7.64 crore. “The increase in voters’ numbers is the result of our extensive campaign for voters’ enrolment and growing awareness among them about their voting rights,” chief electoral officer, Bihar, HR Srinivasa said. The ECI data also states that the sex ratio in the state has improved to 914 against 910 per 1000 males earlier.
