The Election Commission of India has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and union territories. This crucial process aims to ensure the integrity of voter lists by identifying and removing ineligible entries while safeguarding the rights of legitimate voters. The affected regions include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Electoral lists for these areas are now frozen, with the enumeration phase beginning on November 4. The final updated rolls, using January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date, are slated for publication on February 7. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized that the goal is to prevent any genuine voter from losing their right to vote, while simultaneously excluding individuals who are not eligible. This revision is a routine democratic exercise, necessary for removing deceased voters, those who have moved, or individuals with duplicate registrations, and for adding newly eligible citizens. The commission assured that the process will be transparent and that all objections from voters will be heard, reinforcing the commitment to democratic principles and accurate representation.
