New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the first phase of a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls during a press conference on Monday evening. The large-scale exercise will initially cover 10 to 15 states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, among others.
According to officials, the SIR is likely to begin on November 1. However, certain states currently holding local body elections or facing administrative challenges may not be part of the first phase. The revision aims to ensure updated and error-free electoral rolls ahead of upcoming Assembly elections in 2026.
In West Bengal, the Election Commission is expected to appoint volunteers to assist booth-level officers (BLOs) during the revision process. These volunteers, primarily government employees, will help manage polling stations with more than 1,200 voters. Due to an upper limit on the number of electors per booth, the state could see a significant expansion in polling infrastructure, with around 14,000 new booths likely to be added—raising the total from 80,000 to nearly 94,000.
The Special Intensive Revision differs from the routine Special Summary Revision (SSR). While the SSR primarily updates existing voter details, the SIR involves preparing electoral rolls afresh, requiring all registered voters to submit new enumeration forms. The process ensures a complete verification of voter data and removal of inaccuracies.
Officials noted that such an intensive revision has not been conducted nationwide for nearly two decades, largely due to the digitalisation of voter lists. In several states, including Bihar, the last SIR was carried out as far back as 2003.
The ECI’s renewed focus on comprehensive voter verification is seen as part of its broader effort to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process and prepare updated rolls well ahead of the next round of state elections.
