Election Commission Prepares For Nationwide SIR, States Told To Be Ready By Sept 30

The Election Commission (EC) has instructed state election officers to prepare for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by September 30. This indicates that the voter list cleanup might commence as early as October or November. The EC aims to ensure readiness for this nationwide exercise, which is crucial for maintaining accurate electoral rolls.

During a recent meeting in New Delhi, top officials from the EC directed state chief electoral officers (CEOs) to initiate preparations for the SIR rollout within 10 to 15 days. However, to avoid any confusion, September 30 was set as the official deadline for readiness.

State CEOs and Voter Roll Preparation

State CEOs have been tasked with ensuring that voter rolls from the previous SIR are ready. Many have already uploaded these lists on their websites. For instance, Delhi's CEO website features the voter list from 2008, marking the last intensive revision in the capital.

In Uttarakhand, the last SIR occurred in 2006, and that year's electoral roll is now available online. These past revisions serve as reference points for current updates. The EC uses Bihar's 2003 voter list as a benchmark for its intensive revision efforts.

Nationwide SIR Implementation

The EC plans to extend the SIR process across India following its implementation in Bihar. This initiative is particularly timely with assembly elections scheduled in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal in 2026.

The primary aim of this exercise is to identify and remove illegal foreign migrants by verifying birth records. This step is crucial amid ongoing crackdowns on illegal migrants from countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar in various states.

Most states conducted their last SIR between 2002 and 2004. They have nearly completed mapping current electors against those listed during the previous intensive revision. This process ensures that electoral rolls are up-to-date and accurate.

The EC's directive underscores its commitment to maintaining clean voter lists nationwide. By setting clear deadlines and leveraging past data, it aims to streamline the revision process effectively.