New Delhi – The Election Commission of India has announced a comprehensive nationwide voter roll revision SIR (Special Intensive Revision) starting October 28, 2025, marking the first such exercise in over two decades. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar revealed at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday that this massive voter roll revision SIR will initially cover 12 states and union territories, representing Phase 2 of the initiative, with the recently concluded Bihar exercise constituting Phase 1.
Historical Context of Voter Roll Revision SIR
The last voter roll revision SIR was conducted over 20 years ago, CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized during the announcement. He noted that such comprehensive electoral roll revisions have been carried out only eight times between 1951 and 2004, underscoring the significance of this latest initiative. The voter roll revision SIR aims to ensure accuracy and completeness of electoral rolls across the country, removing ineligible voters while ensuring no eligible elector is excluded.
Complete List of 12 States and UTs Covered
The voter roll revision SIR beginning October 28 will encompass the following states and union territories:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Chhattisgarh
- Goa
- Gujarat
- Kerala
- Lakshadweep
- Madhya Pradesh
- Puducherry
- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
This diverse geographical coverage ensures that the voter roll revision SIR touches millions of voters across various regions, from major states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to smaller union territories like Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
Critical Timeline for Voter Roll Revision SIR
The Election Commission has established a detailed timeline for completing the voter roll revision SIR across these 12 states and union territories:
Printing and Training Phase: October 28 to November 3, 2025 Booth-level officers will receive training and materials necessary for conducting the enumeration.
House-to-House Enumeration: November 4 to December 4, 2025 This crucial phase involves door-to-door verification by booth-level officers (BLOs) who will visit each household at least three times to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Draft Electoral Rolls Publication: December 8, 2025 Preliminary voter lists will be made public for review.
Claims and Objections Period: December 9, 2025 to January 8, 2026 Citizens can file claims for inclusion or objections to incorrect entries.
Notice Phase: December 9, 2025 to January 31, 2026 Election authorities will process and respond to claims and objections.
Final Electoral Rolls Publication: February 7, 2026 The completed voter roll revision SIR will culminate with the release of updated, finalized electoral rolls.
Verification Process and 2003 Electoral Rolls
A key feature of this voter roll revision SIR involves matching current voters against the 2002, 2003, or 2004 voting lists. As the first step beginning immediately, voters in the 12 covered states will be cross-referenced with these historical records. Citizens who are found—or whose parents are found—in the 2003 rolls need not provide additional documentation; only the enumeration form would suffice. These historical rolls are accessible on respective state and union territory election websites.
Also Read: Pan India SIR: Urgent Warning From Omar Abdullah on Electoral Roll Revision
Door-to-Door Enumeration Methodology
The voter roll revision SIR employs a comprehensive door-to-door approach. Booth-level officers will visit each residence at least three times to accommodate voters who may have temporarily migrated or remain busy during office hours. For added convenience, those unable to meet with BLOs can fill out enumeration details online themselves, ensuring maximum participation in the voter roll revision SIR.
Aadhaar Usage and Supreme Court Compliance
Following Supreme Court directions issued during the Bihar voter roll revision SIR, Aadhaar will be used exclusively as identity proof in this nationwide exercise. This limitation ensures compliance with privacy concerns while maintaining the verification process’s integrity.
Acceptable Documentation for Voter Roll Revision SIR
The Election Commission has specified numerous acceptable proofs for the voter roll revision SIR, with provisions to expand this list as needed:
- Identity cards or Pension Payment Orders issued to central/state government employees or PSU personnel
- Identity cards or certificates issued by government authorities, banks, post offices, LIC, or PSUs prior to July 1, 1987
- Birth certificates from competent authorities
- Valid passports
- Matriculation or educational certificates from recognized boards or universities
- Permanent residence certificates from state authorities
- Forest rights certificates
- Caste certificates (OBC/SC/ST) from competent authorities
- National Register of Citizens entries (where applicable)
- Family registers maintained by state or local authorities
- Land or house allotment certificates from government
- Aadhaar cards
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that the voter roll revision SIR aims to achieve two primary objectives: “SIR will ensure no eligible elector is left out and no ineligible elector is included in poll rolls.” This dual focus on inclusion and accuracy represents the fundamental purpose of undertaking such an extensive electoral exercise.
The comprehensive nature of this voter roll revision SIR, covering diverse states from West Bengal in the east to Gujarat in the west, and from Uttar Pradesh in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, demonstrates the Election Commission’s commitment to maintaining updated, accurate electoral rolls across India. With the process set to conclude by February 7, 2026, millions of voters across these 12 states and union territories will have their electoral credentials verified and updated through this historic initiative.
