The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce a special drive for a pan-India voter list overhaul, the first in nearly two decades, today. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be conducted in phases, with the initial phase likely to cover 10 to 15 states and Union Territories. The announcement will be made at a press conference this evening by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The first phase of the SIR is expected to prioritize states scheduled for Assembly elections in 2026. These states include Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. States with local body elections pending or those experiencing adverse winter weather may be excluded from the initial phase.
The ECI maintains that this revision is crucial for ensuring clean and accurate electoral rolls. The last intensive revision of voter lists in many states occurred between 2002 and 2004, making an update necessary. The revision aims to remove discrepancies, update voter information, and ensure that all eligible citizens are correctly registered. The updated voter list will contain details such as the voter's full name, parents' or spouse's name, house number, photograph, age, gender, address of the polling station, and the area or locality.
The process will involve a comprehensive door-to-door verification by trained Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who will assist voters in filling out enumeration forms. These BLOs will also gather the forms and make recommendations on each one.
The move has already drawn some controversy, with opposition parties alleging that the SIR is a ploy to disenfranchise voters, particularly those who may be perceived as not supporting the ruling party. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has accused the BJP of plotting to remove names from the voter list ahead of state polls, similar to what he claims happened in Bihar. He alleged that the SIR in Bihar deprived nearly 65 lakh voters of their voting rights. Similar concerns have been raised by West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee.
The ECI has refuted these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to a fair and transparent electoral process. The commission highlights that the revision is a constitutional mandate to maintain accurate voter lists. The ECI has been preparing for this nationwide revision for several months, with state Chief Electoral Officers instructed to be ready for the rollout. The Supreme Court has also endorsed the SIR as a necessary measure.
Following the announcement, voters will be able to check their names on the updated voter lists online through the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP) or offline at election booths. The ECI encourages all eligible citizens to verify their details and register if they are not already on the list. Special drives are also being conducted in some areas to ensure that no eligible voter is left out.
