R ARIVANANTHAM
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI/PUDUCHERRY, OCT 27
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry — a crucial exercise ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls in southern states.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the SIR aims to ensure “clean, accurate, and inclusive voter lists” by removing duplicate, deceased, or ineligible names.
- Massive voter verification drive to begin on November 4; BLOs to visit every household thrice for error-free rolls
- Chief Ministers of southern states hail move as a step toward transparent, inclusive elections
- Final electoral rolls to be published on February 4, following draft release on December 9
“Electoral rolls in these states will be frozen at midnight today. Enumeration will begin from November 4, after Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are trained between October 28 and November 3,” Kumar said.
Each BLO will visit every household three times during the verification period to cross-check voter details and update records. The draft rolls will be published on December 9, followed by the final rolls on February 4, 2026.
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The second phase covers Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Assam has been exempted owing to separate citizenship provisions.
Southern States Welcome the Move
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomed the EC’s announcement, saying:
🛑 #SIR எனும் சதிவலையைத் தமிழ்நாட்டிலும் விரிக்க பா.ஜ.க. ஆயத்தமாகிவிட்டது. மக்களின் வாக்குரிமையையே பறிக்கும் இந்த அநியாயம் ஏற்கெனவே பீகாரில் அரங்கேற்றப்பட்டதைப் பார்த்தோம். விழிப்புடன் இருந்து, கருப்பு சிவப்புக்காரர்கள்தான் தமிழ்நாட்டின் காவலுக்குக் கெட்டிக்காரர்கள் எனக் காட்ட… pic.twitter.com/vm9Qiq6SMw
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) October 26, 2025
“An accurate and transparent electoral roll is the foundation of democracy. The SIR process ensures that every eligible citizen’s voice is counted and no voter is left behind. The state machinery will extend full cooperation to the EC.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the exercise “a vital step in strengthening people’s participation,” while urging citizens to “actively verify and update their voter details.”
In the Union Territory of Puducherry, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said the administration had already begun mobilizing staff to support the enumeration process.
“We welcome the EC’s initiative to improve voter records. Our teams will work closely with BLOs to ensure 100% coverage,” Rangasamy said.
Transparency Through Technology
The ECI also reiterated that while the Aadhaar card can be used for identity verification, it will not serve as proof of citizenship or date of birth. The Commission is exploring the integration of digital verification tools and GIS mapping to enhance transparency and accuracy in roll preparation.
CEC Kumar highlighted that this is the ninth nationwide SIR since Independence, the last being held two decades ago between 2002 and 2004.
“This exercise is not just administrative — it is a reaffirmation of citizens’ faith in the electoral process,” he said.
With Phase 2 covering major states, including poll-bound Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the SIR is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the voter landscape ahead of 2026.
