Why is EC not conducting SIR in Assam despite elections next year? CEC Gyanesh Kumar says…

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday said separate orders will be issued for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list for Assam as the state has separate provisions under the Citizenship Act. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the second phase of SIR of voter rolls in 12 states and union territories, excluding Assam, even as the state is expected to contest assembly elections in 2026. The first phase of SIR was held in Bihar in September, ahead of assembly elections in the state.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital Delhi, CEC Kumar said that citizenship verification in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court is nearing completion. He said: “There are separate provisions for Assam under the Indian Citizenship Act. The citizenship check here is about to be completed under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The June 24 SIR order was for the entire country. Under these circumstances, it would not have been applicable to Assam. Therefore, separate revision orders will be issued for Assam.”

Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 provides for specific provisions regarding citizenship under the Assam Accord. Announcing the second phase of SIR of electoral rolls, CEC Kumar said that the final voter list will be published on February 7, 2026. Kumar said the app will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and the West. Bengal.

According to the Electoral Commission, printing and training will take place between October 28 and November 3, 2026, followed by the Counting Phase between November and December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by the claim and objection period between December 9 and January 8, 2026. The Notification Phase (for listening and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 2026, with the publication of the Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.

(With inputs from news agency ANI).