The Election Commission of India is moving forward with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, announcing the launch of its second phase across 12 states and Union Territories. This critical initiative, which follows the completion of a similar process in Bihar, aims to purify voter lists by ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that the SIR’s primary objective is to achieve error-free electoral rolls, encompassing all eligible voters while excluding any ineligible individuals. The affected states and UTs include major electoral powerhouses like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, along with Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar, and Lakshadweep. These regions house a substantial portion of India’s electorate, estimated at 51 crore voters.
As part of the process, electoral rolls will be frozen, and detailed enumeration forms will be distributed to voters for verification. Political parties will be thoroughly briefed on the SIR procedures by local election officials within the next 48 hours. The EC is also deploying Booth Level Officers for intensive household visits and has introduced an online portal for voter updates, particularly for those who have relocated. This systematic voter roll enhancement is a cornerstone of fair electoral practices.