The Election Commission of India has launched Phase 3 of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise across 16 states and 3 Union Territories to strengthen electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections. The nationwide verification drive aims to eliminate duplicate, deceased, and fake voters while ensuring eligible citizens are accurately registered.
India’s election machinery is entering another major voter verification phase as the Election Commission intensifies its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign. The latest rollout covers key states and Union Territories, signalling preparations for future Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
The move is expected to streamline electoral rolls, improve transparency, and enhance voter participation nationwide.
Nationwide Electoral Verification Drive Expands
The Election Commission announced that Phase 3 of the SIR exercise will now be conducted across 16 states and 3 Union Territories. The initiative focuses on updating voter databases through door-to-door verification, document validation, and removal of ineligible entries.
Officials stated that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will carry out physical verification while digital checks will also be integrated to improve accuracy and efficiency.
States And UTs Covered Under Phase 3
The latest SIR exercise includes major states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and West Bengal.
The Union Territories included are Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry.
Why The SIR Exercise Matters
The Election Commission regularly conducts Special Intensive Revision exercises to maintain clean and updated voter lists. The exercise becomes especially important before major elections as it helps identify duplicate registrations, deceased voters, migrated citizens, and fake entries.
Election experts believe the initiative will strengthen electoral transparency and reduce disputes regarding voter authenticity.
Election Roll Highlights
- Door-to-door voter verification to be conducted
- Focus on removing duplicate and fake voter IDs
- Digital verification tools to assist BLOs
- Coverage expanded across 16 states and 3 UTs
- Updated electoral rolls expected before upcoming elections
- Political parties likely to closely monitor the process
What Happens Next
The Election Commission is expected to release updated draft electoral rolls after verification is completed. Citizens may also get opportunities to file corrections, objections, or fresh applications during the revision period.
The large-scale verification campaign is likely to play a crucial role in ensuring smoother and more transparent elections in the coming months.
Sources: Election Commission of India, PIB India, National Election Updates