The Election Commission of India is preparing to launch a special nationwide revision of electoral rolls (Special Intensive Revision – SIR) by October, sources said on Wednesday. The decision followed a day-long meeting of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all states and Union Territories, where the proposal received a green light.
The poll panel had recently conducted a similar voter roll revision in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections. That process, which was fast-tracked due to the polls, will now be expanded across the country. According to sources, an official announcement could be made before the Bihar elections conclude.
During the conference-cum-workshop, CEOs were asked how soon they could be ready for the revision. Most officials assured the Commission that groundwork would be completed by September, paving the way for an October launch.
The meeting included presentations lasting more than three and a half hours, focused on logistics and preparations. State CEOs were directed to prepare a list of documents for voter verification during the revision, keeping in mind region-specific certificates widely used in tribal, northeastern, and coastal areas, as well as those issued by local autonomous councils and bodies.
Aim: Cleaning and Updating Voter Lists
The Election Commission said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aims to clean voter rolls by deleting names of the deceased, people who have permanently moved, duplicate entries, and non-citizens, while also ensuring every eligible voter is included.
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However, the Bihar revision sparked political controversy, with opposition parties such as the Congress, RJD, and Trinamool Congress alleging the drive could result in voter deletions from marginalised communities.
The poll body has consistently defended the revision exercise, stressing that it is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of India’s electoral rolls.
