Amid concerns over reported deaths linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, election officials are asserting that the Phase-2 of the revision is progressing more smoothly than the earlier Bihar exercise. This claim comes even as opposition parties and some sections of the public express outrage over the alleged pressures on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and the reported deletion of a significant number of names from voter lists.
The SIR is a nationwide initiative to update and purify electoral rolls before the next general elections. Phase-2 of the SIR is currently underway in twelve states and union territories. The process involves BLOs visiting households to distribute and collect updated voter information. The enumeration phase for Phase-2 commenced on November 4, 2025, and is scheduled to continue until December 4, 2025, with the final list expected on February 9, 2026.
Several reports have surfaced alleging that BLOs are facing immense pressure to meet unrealistic targets, leading to stress, exhaustion, and in some tragic cases, even suicide. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has strongly criticized the BJP, linking the reported deaths to overwork and questioning the silence of the Election Commission. He compared the "forced implementation" of the SIR to the disruptive demonetization and COVID-19 lockdowns. Rahul Gandhi echoed these concerns, describing the situation as "chaos" and accusing the Election Commission of ignoring the deaths, terming them "collateral damage". Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that "unbearable pressure" from the SIR work led to the death of a BLO in her state. She claimed that the accelerated timeline, compressing a three-year process into two months, is putting "inhuman pressure" on BLOs.
Despite these criticisms and concerns, election officials maintain that Phase-2 is comparatively easier to manage than the Bihar SIR. The reasons cited for this include better planning, pre-mapping of existing voter data, and improved logistical support. Prior to the rollout of Phase-2, a "pre-mapping" exercise was conducted to match electors already present in voter lists from the previous SIR with those in the current list. The Election Commission had assessed the mapping done by various states in a meeting with Chief Electoral Officers. In Phase-2, nearly 99% of electors have received the enumeration forms.
The Bihar SIR, which preceded Phase-2, was marked by significant challenges, including the deletion of approximately 6.5 million names from the voter list, raising concerns about potential disenfranchisement. The controversy surrounding these deletions and allegations of a rushed and poorly executed process have fueled the current outcry.
The contrasting claims regarding the ease of Phase-2 versus the Bihar SIR highlight the complexities and pressures involved in conducting large-scale electoral roll revisions. While officials emphasize improved processes and logistical support, opposition parties and affected families continue to raise serious questions about the human cost and potential for manipulation. The Election Commission is under increasing scrutiny to address these concerns and ensure a fair and transparent revision process.
