Delhi, 3 November (H.S.): The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — a nationwide voters’ list cleanup drive begins on November 4 in nine states and three Union territories, covering 51 crore voters. The exercise will conclude on February 7, 2026, with the publication of the final electoral rolls.

This marks the second phase of SIR after its completion in Bihar, where the final voter list with 7.42 crore names was published on September 30.

The 12 participating states and UTs are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Elections are due in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal in 2026. Assam will undergo a separate revision later due to the ongoing Supreme Court–monitored citizenship verification under the Citizenship Act.

The enumeration stage of SIR will continue till December 4, followed by the release of draft rolls on December 9 and final rolls on February 7, 2026. This is the ninth SIR since Independence, the last having been conducted between 2002 and 2004.

SIR aims to ensure the accuracy of electoral rolls, removing ineligible or illegal entries—particularly foreign migrants—and ensuring that no genuine voter is left out.

Following controversies during the Bihar SIR, the EC has now eased the process. Electors need not submit documents at the enumeration stage; only those flagged for verification will be asked to provide proof later. Indicative documents include Aadhaar and the Bihar SIR voter list.

Despite EC assurances, several Tamil Nadu political parties have announced plans to approach the Supreme Court opposing the exercise in the state.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar