{"id":70505,"date":"2025-10-28T11:15:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T05:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=70505"},"modified":"2025-10-28T11:15:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T05:45:40","slug":"special-intensive-revision-sir-election-commission-launches-sir-of-electoral-rolls-in-12-states-and-uts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/special-intensive-revision-sir-election-commission-launches-sir-of-electoral-rolls-in-12-states-and-uts\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Intensive Revision (SIR) &#8211; Election Commission Launches SIR of Electoral Rolls in 12 States and UTs"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, <\/span><b>covering 51 crore electors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to <\/span><b>ensure the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the <\/span><b>first nationwide SIR since 2002\u20132005<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, aimed at eliminating duplicate, migrated, or ineligible entries and verifying voter eligibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Background and Significance<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Evolution of SIR:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>The ECI\u2019s order<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (June 2025) mandated all registered electors to fill new enumeration forms, while those added after the last intensive revision (2002\u20132005) must submit eligibility and citizenship-related documents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>The first phase began in Bihar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where Assembly elections are due, serving as a pilot model for future nationwide implementation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Constitutional and legal basis:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ECI cites <\/span><b>Article 326<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution \u2014 which restricts voting rights to Indian citizens aged 18 and above \u2014 to justify verifying eligibility (not citizenship cancellation).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process is governed by the<\/span><b> Representation of the People Act, 1950<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>This ensures free and fair elections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one of the <\/span><b>basic features<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Constitution.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Need for SIR:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political parties have repeatedly complained about the \u201cimpurity\u201d in electoral rolls due to &#8211;\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Migration and multiple registrations.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Non-removal of deceased voters.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Wrongful inclusion of non-citizens.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SIR had been conducted 8 times since 1951 and the last intensive revision was conducted between <\/span><b>2002\u20132005<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, followed by only summary revisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Coverage and Implementation<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>States and UTs involved: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SIR will be conducted in A&amp;N Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, MP, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, UP, and West Bengal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Key dates:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Enumeration period<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Begins November 4, 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Draft roll publication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: December 9, 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Final roll publication<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: February 7, 2026.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Excluded state: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assam is excluded due to ongoing NRC process and distinct Citizenship Act provisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Operational Details<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Enumeration process:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct<\/span><b> house-to-house verification<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All electors must <\/span><b>submit enumeration forms by December 4<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to remain on the draft roll.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Eligibility proof<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> required for those not traceable to 2002\u20132005 SIR rolls.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Documents accepted:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>13 types of documents<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including Aadhaar and extracts from Bihar\u2019s SIR roll.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Aadhaar <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to be used only for identity verification, not citizenship proof.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Electors born after July 1, 1987<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must submit proof of parents\u2019 eligibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Special Cases and Administrative Coordination<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Bihar\u2019s experience:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bihar\u2019s SIR concluded on September 30, 2025, with <\/span><b>electors reducing by 6%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (to 7.42 crore).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>No appeals were filed <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">against Electoral Registration Officers\u2019 (ERO) decisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This model will guide the second phase of SIR.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>State-specific considerations:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urban areas like <\/span><b>Delhi and Chandigarh<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have low linkage with old rolls due to migration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Weather conditions and local body elections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have also influenced state selection and timelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Challenges and Controversies<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Legal challenge: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Supreme Court is hearing petitions questioning &#8211;<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ECI\u2019s authority to verify citizenship of registered voters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procedure adopted in Bihar\u2019s SIR.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Political opposition:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">West Bengal CM termed it an \u201c<\/span><b>NRC through the backdoor<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, ECI maintains that constitutional bodies will carry out their respective roles independently.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Administrative<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Tight timelines and document verification may burden BLOs and EROs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Social<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Risk of disenfranchisement if citizens lack documentary proof.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Transparency and technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Use of the Voter Portal to help citizens trace old roll entries.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Electoral integrity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Purified rolls could reduce bogus voting and increase public trust.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Awareness campaigns:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To ensure mass participation and timely documentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Data synchronization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Integration of digital databases to prevent duplication.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Periodic SIRs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Institutionalizing regular intensive revisions to maintain credibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Stakeholder engagement: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Institutionalised consultations with political parties, civil society, and local administration before rollout.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Legal clarity: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek SC guidance to define ECI\u2019s powers under Article 326 and the RPA, 1950.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Document access facilitation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simplify and digitise the process of submitting eligibility proofs, especially in rural and migrant-heavy areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Phased implementation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adopt Bihar\u2019s learnings for gradual state-by-state rollout instead of a single nationwide push.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SIR of electoral rolls <\/span><b>marks a major administrative reform<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to restore public trust in the electoral process.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By verifying eligibility and updating voter lists, the EC a<\/span><b>ims to strengthen democratic legitimacy.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, political concerns and legal scrutiny highlight the <\/span><b>delicate balance between ensuring voter purity and protecting voter rights.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/ec-special-intensive-revision-sir-electoral-rolls-states-ut-10330059\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>IE<\/b><\/a><b>\u00a0| <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/unlike-in-bihar-poll-panel-plans-to-meet-parties-before-pan-india-sir-10269789\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>IE<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ECI has initiated a SIR of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, covering 51 crore electors, to ensure the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":70516,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[3164],"class_list":{"0":"post-70505","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-special-intensive-revision","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70505"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70505\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/70516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}