After completing the voter list update in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has now started the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The Commission has also introduced several new rules based on its experience from the Bihar SIR to make the process simpler and more convenient for voters.
No Need to Submit Documents During Enumeration
One of the biggest changes this time is that voters will not have to submit documents during the enumeration stage. The Election Commission has decided that no voter will be asked to provide documents at this stage. However, those whose details were not verified in the previous SIR will receive a notice from the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to confirm their eligibility under Article 326 of the Constitution.
Such voters will need to submit one of the 11 documents listed under the Citizenship Act to prove their citizenship. These are the same documents that were used in Bihar’s SIR process.
Aadhaar Card Only for Identity Proof
According to the ECI’s directive issued on September 9, the Aadhaar card will be accepted only as proof of identity, not as proof of citizenship. EROs will also have the flexibility to accept other valid documents provided by the voter.
Updated Enumeration Form and New Features
The enumeration form has been revised to include information about voters or their relatives linked to earlier SIRs conducted since 2002-04. This may include details such as the name, EPIC number, relationship, district, state, and assembly constituency.
If a voter does not return the enumeration form, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) will collect information from neighbors and mark whether the voter is absent, shifted, deceased, or a duplicate entry.
A booth-wise list of excluded names will be displayed at the Panchayat, local body, or BDO office, with reasons for exclusion. The same list will also be available on the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) website of each state. BLOs will also collect at least 30 blank Form-6 and declaration forms in every booth to make it easier for new voters to register.
Timeline of the Nationwide SIR
The Pan-India SIR will be conducted over 103 days, which is five days longer than the Bihar SIR.
- Preparatory phase: October 28 – November 3, 2025
- Enumeration phase: November 4 – December 4, 2025
- Rationalization of polling stations: By December 4, 2025 (each with a maximum of 1,200 voters)
- Draft voter list release: December 9, 2025
- Claims and objections: December 9, 2025 – January 8, 2026
- Disposal of claims and objections: By January 31, 2026
- Final voter list publication: February 7, 2026
During this period, the EROs will also invite advance applications for eligibility dates of April 1, July 1, and October 1, 2026, allowing citizens to register in advance.
Easier and Transparent Process
The new guidelines aim to make the voter list revision more transparent and voter-friendly. By removing the requirement to submit documents during enumeration and allowing multiple options for identity verification, the Election Commission hopes to make the process faster and more convenient for everyone.
