Caught between the complexities of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the approaching 2026 elections, Assam finds itself in a unique predicament regarding citizenship rules. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that Assam will be excluded from the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a decision rooted in the state's distinct citizenship provisions and the ongoing, Supreme Court-monitored NRC process.
This exclusion stems from Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, a provision specific to Assam, introduced following the 1985 Assam Accord. The Assam Accord sought to address unrest caused by decades of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Section 6A sets a cut-off date of March 24, 1971, for determining citizenship in Assam, which differs from the rest of India. This means that individuals who entered Assam after this date are considered illegal immigrants and are subject to deportation.
The NRC, a register of Indian citizens, is being updated in Assam to identify those who entered the state illegally after the 1971 cut-off date. The updating process has been ongoing under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The final NRC list, published in 2019, excluded nearly 1.9 million people, triggering legal challenges, political debates, and widespread anxiety. The Supreme Court has yet to accept the final list, and the process remains incomplete.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar explained that the June 24 SIR order was meant for the entire country but could not be extended to Assam due to its distinct legal framework. He stated that separate orders for revision would be issued for Assam. According to Kumar, the checking of citizenship in Assam is about to be completed under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
The ECI's decision to delay SIR in Assam highlights its cautious approach. Conducting a voter roll revision in Assam without resolving citizenship disputes could risk disenfranchising individuals or legitimizing ineligible entries. The Election Commission will announce a separate schedule and procedure for Assam once the current verification process concludes.
The exclusion of Assam from the SIR has sparked political debate, underscoring the state's long-standing complexities over citizenship, immigration, and voter eligibility. Assam is the only state to have completed an NRC update aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants. However, since the publication of the final supplementary NRC on August 31, 2019, the process remains incomplete.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has expressed vigilance and readiness to launch a public awareness campaign if needed. The Congress party has trained 29,000 booth-level agents.
The Assam Assembly elections are scheduled to be held between March and April 2026. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming for a historic third consecutive term. The opposition, including the Indian National Congress (INC), All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), and regional parties, may pose challenges.
The BJP secured a sweeping victory in the recent panchayat elections. Along with its ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), the BJP won 307 out of 397 zila parishad seats and 1,446 out of 2,192 anchalik panchayat seats. The BJP's performance in the panchayat elections has given the party cause for optimism. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has set a target of winning 95 seats for the NDA in the 2026 Assembly elections.
The exclusion of Assam from the nationwide SIR and the ongoing NRC process highlight the intricate interplay of citizenship laws, electoral policies, and regional sensitivities in the state. As Assam prepares for the 2026 elections, the resolution of these issues will be crucial in ensuring a fair and inclusive electoral process.
