The draft electoral roll, initially scheduled for release on December 9, will now be published on December 16. The ECI said the extension will help ensure greater accuracy and inclusion in the voter lists.
What is SIR and Why It Matters
The Special Intensive Revision is a door-to-door verification exercise to update the electoral roll by adding eligible new voters (18+), correcting entries, and removing names of deceased or migrated individuals. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) conduct household visits to verify voter details and fill forms.
After Bihar completed the first phase of SIR, the process began in 12 more states on October 28.
12 States/UTs Under SIR
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Kerala
Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Puducherry
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
Notably, Assam is excluded due to state-specific citizenship rules.
Massive Exercise Covering 51 Crore Voters
The SIR will cover around 51 crore voters across the 12 regions.
The Election Commission has deployed:
5.33 lakh BLOs
Over 7 lakh BLAs from political parties
How SIR Works: What Voters Must Do
During verification, BLOs or BLAs will provide forms to voters. Individuals must:
Verify personal details
Remove duplicate entries (if registered in two places)
Submit forms to add missing names
Provide relevant documents for correction or inclusion
Accepted Documents for SIR Verification
Aadhaar Card (identity only, not proof of citizenship)
Passport
Birth Certificate
Pensioner ID Card
Permanent Residence Certificate
ID issued by any government department
10th Marksheet
Caste Certificate
Forest Rights Certificate
NRC Name Record
Family Register Name Record
Land/House Allotment Letter
Purpose of the Special Intensive Revision
The EC aims to update the rolls comprehensively after a 21-year backlog since the last full SIR (1951–2004). Key goals include:
Removing deceased or migrated voters
Deleting names of ineligible or foreign nationals
Ensuring no eligible voter is missed
Correcting errors in names, addresses, and age
Eliminating duplication in electoral rolls
What If Your Name Is Missing?
If a voter finds their name removed or missing:
They may appeal within one month after the draft roll is published.
Appeals can be submitted to the ERO, then to the DM, and finally to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) if needed.
Why Bihar’s SIR List Matters
A person applying in any of the 12 SIR states can use an excerpt from Bihar’s updated voter list (showing parents’ names) to avoid extra documentation for citizenship proof—only date of birth proof will then be required.
Need Help?
Call 1950 (ECI Helpline)
Contact your BLO or District Election Office
