The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the rollout of Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, extending the nationwide voter list verification exercise to 16 states and three Union Territories. The initiative aims to ensure electoral rolls remain accurate, updated and inclusive ahead of future elections.

The third phase will be conducted in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana and Uttarakhand. The exercise will also cover the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Chandigarh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

CEC Urges Voters to Participate

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar appealed to all eligible voters to actively participate in the revision process by completing their Enumeration Forms. He said public participation is essential to maintaining clean and reliable electoral rolls.

The Commission described the Special Intensive Revision as a collaborative exercise involving electors, election officials and recognised political parties to enhance the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

Large-Scale Verification Exercise

During Phase III, more than 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification covering approximately 36.73 crore electors across the identified states and Union Territories.

The BLOs will be supported by nearly 3.42 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various political parties during the enumeration process. The Commission has encouraged all recognised political parties to appoint BLAs at every polling station to ensure transparency and wider stakeholder participation throughout the revision exercise.

Nationwide Coverage Nears Completion

With the commencement of Phase III, the Special Intensive Revision will cover almost the entire country. The Election Commission said the exercise will remain pending only in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The schedule for these regions will be announced separately after the completion of the second phase of the national Census and keeping in view weather conditions in high-altitude and snow-bound areas.

Progress of Earlier Phases

According to the Election Commission, the first two phases of the Special Intensive Revision covered 13 states and Union Territories, involving nearly 59 crore electors.

The earlier phases were carried out with the assistance of more than 6.3 lakh Booth Level Officers and approximately 9.2 lakh Booth Level Agents nominated by political parties.

Officials said the extensive exercise is intended to strengthen the integrity of India's electoral rolls by identifying eligible voters, removing inaccuracies and ensuring every qualified citizen has an opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

The Commission reiterated that maintaining updated electoral rolls is a continuous process and called upon voters, political parties and election officials to work together for the successful implementation of the Special Intensive Revision.