Bihar Polls: EC announces SIR to be conducted in 12 states in second phase

The second phase of SIR will be conducted in 12 states. This will include voter list corrections, inclusion of new voters, and correction of errors in the list.

Patna: The Election Commission has made a major announcement regarding the nationwide SIR.

According to the Election Commission, the second phase of SIR will be conducted in 12 states. This will include voter list corrections, inclusion of new voters, and correction of errors in the list.

SIR will be conducted in these 12 states and UTs
SIR will be conducted in a phased manner across the country. The 12 states and union territories where SIR will be conducted include Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. The total number of voters in these states is approximately 510 million, and over 533,000 polling stations and BLOs will be deployed.

'The last SIR was conducted 21 years ago'
The Chief Election Commissioner stated that the last special in-depth revision in the country was conducted 21 years ago. He clarified that all eligible voters will be included in the SIR and ineligible voters will be removed from the voter list. The CEC further stated that conducting SIR before the elections is of paramount importance.

What will be included in SIR?
He stated that BLOs will visit every household three times to collect voter information. During this period, the BLOs will be responsible for ensuring that no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible voter is added. The Chief Election Commissioner stated that in the states where the SIR process is to be conducted, the voter list will be frozen from 12 midnight tonight. He also stated that voters residing in other states will be able to fill out the form online during this process. Chief Election Commissioner

What is the purpose of the SIR?
The purpose of the Special Intensive Revision is to improve the voter list and include new voters. This will include verification of names, verification of existing voters, and necessary amendments. The Commission stated that this process will be completely transparent and fair. Under the SIR, errors in the voter list will be corrected and new voters will be included, ensuring maximum participation in the elections.

Assembly elections are to be held in these states in 2026
It is worth noting that assembly elections are to be held in five states in the country in 2026. These include Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal. However, in states where local body elections are currently underway or are about to be held, this process will not be conducted for the time being, as local administrations will be busy with election work.

SIR may be conducted in these states
Although complete details have not yet been made public, officials say the first phase will cover 10 to 15 states. These will include states where assembly elections are scheduled to be held in 2026. These states include Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. The SIR will involve a thorough review of the voter list and making necessary amendments. The Election Commission of India is preparing for the SIR campaign across the country. Top EC officials recently held meetings with the Chief Electoral Officers of all states.