The Election Commission of India (ECI) is gearing up to roll out a Pan-India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, marking a significant step toward ensuring a more accurate and transparent voter database ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The first phase of the SIR will cover more than 10 States and one Union Territory, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal.
ECI Set to Announce Countrywide SIR Schedule
According to official sources, the Election Commission will announce the detailed schedule of the nationwide SIR at a press conference in the coming days. The plan was discussed and reviewed at a two-day Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) conference held in New Delhi on October 23, 2025.
The meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, focused on evaluating the preparedness of all States and Union Territories for the massive electoral exercise.
First Phase to Include Poll-Bound States
The first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will be launched in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal, where Assembly elections are due in 2026.
The second phase will include States where local body elections are scheduled and regions that may face adverse weather conditions during winter, to ensure smooth execution of the voter revision process.
Review and Progress Assessment
During the conference, the ECI reviewed the progress of previous directives issued to the CEOs, especially regarding the mapping of current electors with those listed in the last SIR conducted in each State and Union Territory.
An official statement from the Commission confirmed that the team also held one-on-one interactions with CEOs from the poll-bound States and Union Territory to evaluate their readiness and challenges.
Decisions to Be Communicated After Commission Meeting
While the meeting addressed several general queries and featured a presentation on the upcoming SIR, no final decisions were announced. The Commission informed participants that concrete decisions regarding timelines and implementation strategies would be communicated separately following internal discussions among the ECI members.
The October 23 conference was a follow-up to the SIR preparedness meeting held on September 10, where all States and UTs presented detailed reports on the number of electors, qualifying dates, and the status of electoral rolls from their last completed revision.
A Step Toward Accurate and Inclusive Voter Rolls
The Special Intensive Revision is a crucial exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update and verify voter lists across the country. It helps in removing duplicate entries, adding new eligible voters, and ensuring the accuracy of voter data before major elections.
By initiating this revision well ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI aims to strengthen electoral transparency and voter participation in India’s democratic process.
