Massive Voter Roll Update: ECI Rolls Out Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision, SIR To Be Conducted in 12 States

By Admin Oct 27, 20250

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially rolled out the Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision, initiating the crucial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories (UTs). This sweeping exercise, which follows a successful first phase in Bihar, is a concerted effort to cleanse and update the country’s voter lists, ensuring a clean and accurate electoral roll ahead of upcoming major elections.The announcement by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, highlights the magnitude of the task: this second phase will cover approximately 51 crore voters, making it one of the largest electoral roll sanitation drives in recent history. With this Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision, the ECI aims to eliminate duplicate entries, remove the names of deceased or permanently shifted voters, and, most importantly, include every eligible new voter.If you reside in one of the 12 States/UTs listed below, understanding the SIR process is essential. Your participation is not just a civic duty; it’s the bedrock of a fair democracy.

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a comprehensive, door-to-door verification exercise undertaken by the ECI to completely overhaul and refresh the electoral rolls. Unlike the routine annual summary revision, which largely relies on citizen applications for additions and deletions, the SIR involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) physically visiting every household.The current all-India SIR is only the ninth such exercise since Independence, with the last one conducted over two decades ago (2002-2004). This fact underscores its significance and the ECI’s commitment to tackling the accumulated inaccuracies over the past two decades.

Why is the SIR Necessary Now?

After two decades of mostly summary revisions, electoral rolls inevitably suffer from the ‘four Cs’ of inaccuracies:Change of Residence (Migration): Voters shifting permanently without having their name deleted from the old roll.Continuous Deaths: Names of deceased voters remaining on the list.Cross-Roll Duplications: A voter registered in more than one place (Assembly Constituency or even Polling Station).Citizenship/Eligibility Issues: The inclusion of non-citizens or those not meeting age requirements.As CEC Gyanesh Kumar noted, “Political parties have raised the issue of quality of electoral rolls on several occasions,” and the SIR is the ECI’s comprehensive answer to these legitimate concerns.

The 12 States and UTs Covered in Phase 2

The EC Rolls Out Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision in a strategic selection of states and UTs. The 12 regions where the SIR will commence are:Andaman and Nicobar IslandsChhattisgarhGoaGujaratKeralaLakshadweepMadhya PradeshPuducherryRajasthanTamil NaduUttar PradeshWest BengalSignificantly, four of these—Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal—are slated for Assembly elections in 2026, making the clean-up of their voter rolls a priority. Revision for Assam, also poll-bound in 2026, will be announced separately due to unique citizenship criteria.

The Success of Phase 1: The Bihar Example

The first phase of the SIR, conducted in Bihar, serves as a testament to the rigor and effectiveness of the process.The exercise led to the final number of electors settling at 7.42 crore, a reduction of nearly 47 lakh from the pre-SIR count of 7.89 crore.Crucially, the CEC stated that the Bihar SIR was completed with zero appeals filed against the decisions of the Electoral Registration Officers, indicating a high degree of transparency and satisfaction with the process.This track record from Bihar provides a strong foundation of trust and precision for the expanded Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision.

SIR Phase 2: Key Dates and Process Breakdown

The Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision follows a structured, multi-stage timeline to ensure meticulous verification and redressal of claims and objections.

SIR Phase 2 Official Schedule

ActivityStart DateEnd DateElectoral Rolls FreezeMidnight, October 27, 2025-Printing of Enumeration Forms & Training of OfficialsOctober 28, 2025November 3, 2025House-to-House Enumeration (BLOs’ Visits)November 4, 2025December 4, 2025Publication of Draft Electoral RollsDecember 8, 2025-Claims and Objections WindowDecember 9, 2025January 8, 2026Hearing of Claims and Disposal of Notices-January 31, 2026Final Publication of Electoral RollsFebruary 7, 2026-

The Door-to-Door Verification: Your Role

The most critical part of the SIR is the month-long house-to-house enumeration period (November 4 to December 4). During this time:BLOs will visit every home and provide a unique enumeration form to each voter.Every registered elector must fill out this form to confirm their inclusion on the draft roll. This is a non-negotiable step for all existing voters.Voters enrolled after the last Intensive Revision (2002-2004) will be required to submit documents as proof of eligibility, including identity, age, and citizenship.The ECI has clarified that Aadhaar will only be accepted as proof of identity, and a separate document from the accepted list will be needed to establish citizenship and residence.New voters who turn 18 by the qualifying date, and those whose names were incorrectly deleted, must also fill out the necessary forms for inclusion.The ECI has directed that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit every household at least three times to maximize coverage and ensure no eligible voter is left out.

Original Insights and Implications for Voters

The EC Rolls Out Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision not only cleans the lists but also has profound implications for governance and election integrity.

1. Tackling the Migrant Voter Challenge

One of the most valuable insights from the initial phase is the ECI’s evolving stance on migrant workers. During the Bihar SIR, only Bihar’s previous intensive revision roll was accepted for mapping. For the national rollout, sources suggest the ECI may allow voters to submit an extract of their name from the last intensive revision roll of any state.This is a game-changer. For example, a construction worker from West Bengal now residing in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) would be able to submit their link to the 2002 West Bengal roll to ease their inclusion in the Tamil Nadu list, provided they meet other criteria. This demonstrates an inclusive, pro-voter correction to the process.

2. Digital Empowerment and Transparency

To enhance transparency and accessibility, all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have been directed to make the previous voter lists (post-2002/2004 SIR) available on their websites. This digital availability helps voters cross-check their history and simplifies the mapping process. Furthermore, the ECI has allowed citizens to submit their enumeration forms online to address the challenges faced by migrated voters.Internal Link Suggestion: For more on digital voter services, read our guide on the ‘Voter Helpline App and Online Registration’.

3. Political Scrutiny and Dialogue

The nature of the SIR inevitably attracts political scrutiny. Opposition parties have raised concerns regarding the potential for selective deletions. However, the ECI has proactively addressed this by directing CEOs and District Electoral Officers to meet with political parties and brief them on the SIR process. This continuous dialogue, coupled with the rigorous Claims and Objections Window, is essential for maintaining trust.The transparent conclusion of the Bihar SIR, where the final roll was published without a successful appeal, provides a strong counter-narrative to concerns about “vote theft” and reinforces the ECI’s neutral role.

How You Can Prepare for Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision

If you live in one of the 12 States/UTs, here’s how you can prepare to ensure your right to vote remains secure:Locate Your BLO: Find the contact details for your Booth Level Officer (BLO) via the ECI’s online portals or the Voter Helpline App. Your BLO is your primary point of contact for the SIR.Gather Documents: Ensure you have readily available documents to prove your eligibility, especially if you enrolled after 2004. Acceptable documents typically include:Birth CertificateMatriculation CertificatePassportRation CardLand Records (to prove residence)Monitor Draft Rolls: Be sure to check the Draft Electoral Rolls published on December 8, 2025. This is your only chance to verify that your name is included correctly or to file an objection if an ineligible name is present.Use Official Channels: Use the official ECI portals or the Voter Helpline (1950) for any questions or to track the status of your application.Internal Link Suggestion: Learn more about the documents required in our detailed article on ‘Proving Your Eligibility: A Document Guide for SIR’.

Conclusion: Securing a Clean Electoral Roll

The EC Rolls Out Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision, SIR To Be Conducted in 12 States, marking a critical juncture in India’s democratic process. This massive effort to sanitize the voter list is a vital administrative exercise aimed at protecting the integrity of the ballot. With a projected 51 crore voters impacted in Phase 2, the successful execution of the SIR depends on active citizen participation.Don’t wait! Once the enumeration begins on November 4, be ready to cooperate with your BLO, verify your details, and ensure your unique enumeration form is correctly submitted.Call to Action: Check the official schedule for the Phase 2 of Voter Roll Revision and make a note of the House-to-House Enumeration dates for your state! Visit the official website of the Election Commission of India for authoritative information and updates on the SIR.

External Links:Election Commission of India Official Website: https://eci.gov.in/Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar (Example of Phase 1 Final Roll Publication): https://ceoelection.bihar.gov.in/