Election Commission Announces Second Phase of Voter Roll Revision Across 12 States

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the launch of the second phase of its nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, extending the massive voter verification and cleanup exercise to 12 states and union territories. The move follows the completion of the first phase in Bihar, which the Commission described as successful and free of public objections.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the initiative aims to ensure cleaner and more accurate voter lists by identifying and removing duplicate, deceased, or shifted electors, while also including all eligible new voters. “Transparency, inclusivity, and accuracy remain our top priorities,” Kumar emphasised during a press briefing on Sunday.

The first phase, conducted in Bihar, covered over 90,000 polling stations and around 7.5 crore registered voters. Officials said that despite the scale of the exercise, not a single appeal was filed against the revisions, reflecting strong public confidence in the process.

The second phase will now cover states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, among others. Training for election officials and field staff will begin soon, with door-to-door verification campaigns expected to follow. The Commission has instructed state electoral officers to ensure comprehensive coverage of all urban and rural households.

Under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, the ECI has full authority to undertake such revisions. The Commission noted that a large-scale SIR of this kind was last conducted between 2002 and 2004, and that this new initiative marks a major administrative effort to modernise the electoral framework.

The revision drive will also leverage digital tools and updated databases to reduce errors and enhance voter accessibility. Officials said special attention would be paid to vulnerable and remote populations to ensure no eligible voter is left out.

However, the move has already stirred debate in political circles. Several opposition leaders expressed concern about the timing of the revision, arguing that the process could lead to the exclusion of genuine voters ahead of upcoming state elections. They have urged the Commission to conduct the exercise transparently and provide safeguards against any potential misuse.

In response, the ECI reiterated that the process is being conducted independently and under strict supervision, with constant monitoring and public engagement. It assured political parties that detailed reports from each state would be made available to ensure accountability.

The Commission has urged citizens to actively participate by verifying their names on the electoral rolls and submitting correction or registration requests within the stipulated period. Officials said the ultimate goal is to deliver an updated, error-free voter list well before the next electoral cycle.