What is Special Intensive Revision? How is it done? How can SIR reshape voters’ list in 12 states?
The Election Commission of India has initiated Phase 2 of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 12 states after completing the implementation in Bihar and getting the support of the Supreme Court. What is SIR and how does ECI do it?
Special Intensive Revision, West Bengal
Special Intensive Revision or SIR has become one of the buzzwords in political circles across the country, creating a lot of noise ahead of the recently concluded Bihar Elections 2025. After petitions were filed alleging that the practice of SIR was unconstitutional as it was not the poll panel’s job to determine the citizenship of voters, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court said the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot be blamed for conducting a special inquiry. Massive revision across Bihar if the reason for carrying out the exercise is common to all constituencies.
ECI is conducting SIR 2025 in 12 states
After completion of SIR in Bihar, ECI announced that it will carry out phase 2 of the operation in 12 states: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The main purpose of SIR is to create a new voter list from start to finish. As part of the process, voters are asked to fill out the enumeration form and submit one of 12 documents. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of each polling booth reach each house and collect the counting forms. A BLO must make three attempts to reach voters.
How do BLOs conduct Special Intensive Revision?
The numbering form contains the voter’s name, EPIC ID, address, details of assembly and parliamentary constituencies and pre-printed photographs. The form can also be downloaded from the Election Commission’s website. The voter is expected to fill in the details of date of birth, mobile number, Aadhaar number (optional), parents and spouse, if any, and attach a recent passport photo in the form. It also needs to link with the past SIR conducted between 2002 and 2005. The completed form must be submitted to the BLO, which will issue a confirmation receipt. It can also be downloaded online.
Voter list update
If the voter missed this vote in the last SIR period because he was not of voting age, he can provide his parents’ information. If a voter has moved to another state since the last SIR, he or she must submit details of the state in which he or his family resided when the SIR last occurred. For now, the SIR is expected to publish the draft electoral roll of the EIC, most likely on December 9, 2025, after the counting process is over. The voter must check whether his name is included in the draft list.
Draft electoral roll 2025
Following publication of the draft electoral rolls, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will examine the eligibility of the proposed electors in accordance with the qualifications of the proposed electors under Section 326 and Sections 16 and 19 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1950. He will initiate a suo motu inquiry and issue notice to voters who could not link/match their names with the past SIR. EROs will refer suspected foreign nationals to the competent authority under the Citizenship Act 1955.
If a voter wishes to challenge the decision of the ERO, he can do so first before the District Magistrate, after which the Chief Electoral Officer will hear the second appeal against the decision of the DM. Voters will be able to object until January 31 to have their names included in the final voter register.
