New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the initiation of the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and union territories. This extensive endeavor, designed to update and verify voter lists, is set to commence on Tuesday. During a press conference at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Kumar indicated that the revision will encompass Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. According to the Election Commission, approximately 51 crore voters are included in this phase.
More than 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and over 7 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties will be involved in the revision process. Activities related to printing and training will proceed until November 3, followed by a door-to-door verification campaign from November 4 to December 4. The draft voter list is scheduled for publication on December 8, 2025, with claims and objections being accepted between December 9, 2025, and January 8, 2026. Hearings for filed objections will continue until January 31, and the final voter list will be released on February 7, 2026. Kumar noted that voter lists in the involved states will be frozen at midnight prior to the commencement of the revision.
He explained that each voter will receive a unique counting form containing their details. Regarding the use of Aadhaar, Kumar clarified that it can serve as proof of identity but not as verification of citizenship, date of birth, or residence. He also mentioned that the Special Intensive Revision for Assam will be announced independently. Addressing reports of disputes in some states, he stated that there is no contention regarding the SIR in West Bengal, highlighting that both the Election Commission and the state government are fulfilling their responsibilities.
To ensure precision, the Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that BLOs will visit each household three times throughout the process to guarantee that no eligible voter is overlooked and no ineligible name remains on the rolls. Voters who have relocated can now update their records online. Training for polling officers involved in the second phase of the SIR will commence on Tuesday. Kumar stated that all Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers have been directed to meet with political parties by Wednesday to inform them about the revision process. He also praised the successful completion of the first phase of the SIR in Bihar, which served 7.5 crore voters.
The Commission recently convened officials from all 36 states and union territories to review and discuss details of the upcoming phase. Kumar pointed out that this marks the ninth nationwide Special Intensive Revision since India gained independence, with the last one taking place between 2002 and 2004. He emphasized that political parties have consistently stressed the necessity for enhanced voter list quality, and this exercise represents a significant advancement in that regard.