Nationwide Voter Roll Overhaul: Election Commission Launches Mega SIR Drive Across 12 States and UTs

New Delhi, October 27 (TNA) The Election Commission of India on Monday announced the launch of the second phase of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The exercise will cover 12 states and Union Territories, including poll-bound West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, with the enumeration process scheduled to begin on November 4.

This phase follows the recently completed SIR in Bihar, where officials reported zero appeals after the revision and praised the participation of nearly 7.5 crore voters. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said SIR is being conducted on a scale not seen in over two decades.

The revised process features thorough door-to-door verification, with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) mandated to make three visits to every household to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voter rolls.

The aim is to finalize the updated electoral rolls by February 2026, ahead of major assembly polls in the included states. Kumar emphasized that all poll-bound states and UTs scheduled for elections in 2026 have been prioritized in this phase.

He added that the enumeration format has been updated compared to the Bihar SIR to ensure improved data collection and voter verification, and that the Election Commission is committed to removing ineligible, duplicate, or deceased voters to produce error-free, reliable rolls.

The nationwide SIR marks the most extensive overhaul of voter lists since 2004, aiming to enhance transparency and accuracy in India’s electoral process ahead of crucial elections.