EC launches Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in states including Rajasthan, MP, and UP; exercise skips Assam but covers poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the launch of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and union territories, beginning October 28 and concluding on February 7, 2025. The 103-day exercise aims to update voter lists, include newly eligible voters above 18, and correct errors or remove duplicate and invalid entries.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that the voter lists in these regions will be “frozen” starting midnight on October 27, marking the start of the SIR process.
The revision will take place in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Notably, while West Bengal, which heads to elections next year, is included, Assam is excluded due to separate citizenship verification processes in the state.
Over 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 7 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) representing political parties will be deployed to assist approximately 51 crore voters across these regions.
During the SIR, BLOs will visit households to verify and update voter information. Citizens will be required to cross-check their details, submit correction forms, and provide valid identity documents such as Aadhaar, passport, pension card, school certificates, or residence proof to register or modify entries.
Officials emphasized that the exercise, last conducted nationally over two decades ago, is vital to ensure accuracy and inclusivity in electoral rolls removing deceased, migrated, or ineligible voters and ensuring no eligible citizen is left out.
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