Election Commission to Begin Special Intensive Revision of Voter Rolls in 23 States and UTs from April 2026

The Election Commission of India is gearing up for a massive exercise to clean and update electoral rolls across 23 states and Union Territories starting April 2026. Termed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), this process is designed to ensure that voter lists are accurate, up-to-date, and free from ineligible entries.

Comprehensive Revision of Voter Lists

The SIR is more than a routine update. It is a thorough review of the entire electoral database, encompassing:

• Registration of new voters who have turned 18
• Verification of existing entries to remove duplicates or errors
• Identification and removal of ineligible voters, including foreign nationals

"The objective is to strengthen the credibility of our electoral rolls and make sure that every eligible citizen has the right to vote while preventing misuse," said sources within the Commission.

States and UTs Undergoing SIR

The upcoming SIR will cover:

• Southern states: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
• Western and northern states: Maharashtra, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand
• North-eastern states and UTs: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, NCT of Delhi, Odisha, Jharkhand

Strengthening Electoral Integrity

A special focus of the SIR is weeding out foreign illegal migrants from voter lists, a move aligned with ongoing verification drives in various states targeting migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. By confirming the place of birth and eligibility, the Commission aims to protect the integrity of India's elections.

EC Secretary Pawan Diwan has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across states and UTs to complete preparatory work urgently so the SIR can commence smoothly in April.

Why SIR Matters

With multiple elections on the horizon, the Special Intensive Revision ensures:

• Accuracy in voter lists
• Transparency in the electoral process
• Confidence among citizens that the democratic process is fair

By targeting duplicates, errors, and ineligible entries, the SIR is a major step toward clean, credible, and inclusive elections in India.