Special Intensive Revision

Context

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls covering 51 crore voters in 12 states and union territories to ensure the accuracy and correctness of electoral rolls.
• This is the first nationwide SIR since 2002-2005, aimed at eliminating duplicate, migrated, or ineligible entries (voters) and verifying voter eligibility.

Background and Significance

Evolution of SIR

• The ECI The ECI order (June 2025) makes it mandatory for all registered voters to fill out new enumeration forms, while voters added after the last thorough revision (2002-2005) will have to submit eligibility and citizenship documents.
• The first phase began in Bihar, where assembly elections are being held. It served as a pilot model for future nationwide implementation.

Constitutional and Legal Basis

• The ECI cited Article 326 of the Constitution to justify the confirmation of eligibility (not the cancellation of citizenship).
• The process is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950. It ensures free and fair elections, one of the fundamental features of the Constitution.

SIR The Need for

• Political parties have repeatedly complained about "inaccuracies" in the voter list:
• Migration and multiple registrations
• Non-removal of dead voters
• Incorrect inclusion of non-citizens
• The SIR has been conducted eight times since 1951, and the last thorough revision was between 2002-2005, after  which only summary revisions have been conducted.

Current SIR Coverage and Implementation

• States and Union Territories Covered: The SIR will be conducted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• Key Dates:
  • Enumeration Period: Beginning November 4, 2025
  • Draft Roll Publication: December 9, 2025
  • Final Roll Publication: February 7, 2026
• Excluded States: Assam has been excluded due to the ongoing NRC process and separate provisions of the Citizenship Act.

Operational Details

Enumeration Process

• 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification.
• All voters must submit enumeration forms by December 4 to remain on the draft roll.
•  Eligibility proof is required for those whose names are not included in the SIR roll for the years 2002-2005.

Accepted Documents

• 13 types of documents are accepted, including Aadhaar and extracts from the SIR roll of Bihar.
• Aadhaar will be used only for identity verification, not for citizenship proof.
• Voters born after July 1, 1987, will be required to provide proof of parental eligibility.

Special Cases and Administrative Coordination

Bihar Experience

• Bihar's SIR ended on September 30, 2025, with the number of voters declining by 6% to 74.2 million.
• No appeals were filed against the decisions of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
• This model will guide the second phase of the SIR.

State-Specific Considerations

• Migration to urban areas like Delhi and Chandigarh has led to lower engagement with the older population.
• Weather conditions and local body elections also influenced state selection and timelines.

Challenges and Related Controversies

• Legal Challenge: The Supreme Court is hearing petitions questioning:
  • The ECI's authority to verify the citizenship of registered voters
  • The process followed in Bihar's SIR
• Political Opposition:
  • The Chief Minister of West Bengal has called it a "backdoor NRC."
  • However, the ECI maintains that constitutional bodies will perform their respective roles independently.
• Administrative: Strict deadlines and document verification could burden BLOs and EROs.
• Social: Citizens risk being disenfranchised if they lack documentary proof.

Way Forward

• Transparency and Technology: Using voter portals to help citizens locate outdated voter list entries
• Electoral Inclusiveness: Clean voter lists can reduce fraudulent voting and increase public confidence.
• Awareness Campaigns: Ensuring public participation and timely documentation
• Data Synchronization: Integrating digital databases to prevent duplication
• Periodic SIRs: Institutionalizing regular in-depth revisions to maintain credibility
• Stakeholder Engagement: Institutionalizing consultations with political parties, civil society, and local administrations before implementation
  • Legal Clarity: Seeking guidance from the Supreme Court to define the ECI's powers under Article 326 and the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
  • Facilitating Document Access: Simplifying and digitizing the process of submitting eligibility proof, especially in rural and migrant-heavy areas.
• Phased implementation: Instead of implementing it across the country at one go, it will be implemented gradually state-by-state.

Conclusion

• SIR of voter lists is a major administrative reform to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
• By verifying eligibility and updating voter lists, the Election Commission aims to strengthen democratic legitimacy.
• However, political concerns and legal scrutiny highlight the delicate balance between ensuring voter integrity and protecting voter rights.