New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) The Election Commission of India on Thursday issued instructions to Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of 23 States and union Territories to expedite preparatory work for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, expected to commence in April 2026.
In an official communication, the Chief Election Commissioner asked CEOs of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, NCT of Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand to ensure that all groundwork related to the revision process is completed at the earliest.
The Special Intensive Revision is a crucial exercise to ensure the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls. All preparatory activities must be undertaken in a time-bound manner so that the revision can begin smoothly from April 2026, the Commission directed.
Officials familiar with the matter said the preparatory exercise would include rationalisation of polling stations, updating of electoral databases, training of booth-level officers (BLOs), verification of infrastructure, and coordination with district administrations.
A senior ECI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The Commission wants zero delays once the SIR is formally announced. Early preparation will help minimise errors and ensure greater inclusivity.”
The SIR is a comprehensive update of electoral rolls carried out periodically to incorporate newly eligible voters, remove duplicate or deceased entries, and correct discrepancies. Unlike summary revisions, an intensive revision typically involves door-to-door verification and extensive field-level engagement.
The upcoming exercise assumes significance as several of the listed states are expected to witness key electoral activities in the coming years. Ensuring updated and error-free voter lists is considered fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
The Commission has also directed the CEOs to monitor district-level preparedness and submit status reports within stipulated timelines.
The ECI’s move signals the beginning of groundwork for one of the most extensive voter roll updation exercises in the country, reinforcing its emphasis on transparency, accuracy, and voter participation ahead of future elections.
