The Election Commission of India (ECI) launches Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Delhi and 21 States/UTs from April 2026, directing Chief Electoral Officers to complete preparatory work amid scrutiny concerns and pending voter document re-verification in West Bengal.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has formally initiated the process for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 22 States and Union Territories, including the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, beginning April 2026. The move comes as the ongoing revision exercise in 13 other States and Union Territories approaches completion, according to an official communication issued on Thursday.
The large-scale revision drive underscores the Commission’s focus on maintaining accuracy, transparency, and integrity in electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections in various regions. The SIR process is a comprehensive exercise aimed at updating voter lists, removing ineligible entries, and ensuring that all eligible citizens are duly enrolled.
States and Union Territories Covered
The next round of Special Intensive Revision will cover Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Ladakh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, NCT of Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura, Telangana, and Uttarakhand.
In a formal advisory, the Commission directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of these States and Union Territories to complete all preparatory work in a time-bound manner before the commencement of the exercise in April 2026.
The advisory, issued by Election Commission Secretary Pawan Diwan, stated, “Since the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the above States/UTs is expected to commence from April 2026, you are requested to complete preparatory work related to the SIR exercise at the earliest.”
Timeline and Official Orders
The Commission had earlier issued Order No. 23/ERS/2025 dated June 24, 2025, mandating that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls be undertaken across all States and Union Territories. This was followed by a subsequent directive dated July 5, 2025, instructing all Chief Electoral Officers—except those in Bihar—to initiate pre-revision activities for the SIR exercise.
Further, through a letter dated October 27, 2025, the Commission announced the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision in 12 States and Union Territories. That phase is currently underway and nearing completion, prompting the Commission to prepare for the next round beginning in April 2026.
Officials said the structured rollout of SIR ensures administrative readiness, adequate verification mechanisms, and proper coordination between district and state-level election authorities.
Focus on Accuracy and Verification
The Special Intensive Revision is considered one of the most detailed forms of electoral roll updates, involving door-to-door verification, scrutiny of claims and objections, and cross-checking of identity documents. The Commission has repeatedly emphasized that accurate electoral rolls form the backbone of free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, reports from Kolkata highlight challenges in document verification during the ongoing revision process in West Bengal. With only three days left before the deadline for scrutiny of voter documents submitted during hearing sessions on claims and objections to draft electoral rolls, approximately 20 lakh documents remain pending re-verification by District Electoral Officers (DEOs).
Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, indicated that a majority of these pending cases involve “logical discrepancies” identified during scrutiny.
According to officials, micro-observers deployed for document verification flagged abnormalities in certain submissions. In several cases, the documents provided by voters did not correspond with the 13 identity documents recognized by the Election Commission as valid proofs.
“Based on the recommendations of the micro-observers, these documents were returned to the District Electoral Officers for re-verification. The Commission has directed the concerned DEOs to complete the re-verification process and submit their reports at the earliest,” a source familiar with the matter said.
Strengthening Electoral Integrity
Election experts note that the Commission’s phased approach to the Special Intensive Revision reflects its intent to enhance electoral integrity and minimize disputes during election periods. By initiating preparatory activities months in advance, the ECI aims to streamline the revision process and avoid last-minute complications.
The SIR process also plays a critical role in identifying duplicate entries, removing names of deceased voters, and incorporating newly eligible voters who have attained the age of 18. Political parties and civil society organizations are expected to closely monitor the process, particularly in States heading into assembly elections in the coming years.
As the Commission prepares for the April 2026 rollout in Delhi and 21 other States and Union Territories, administrative machinery at the district and state levels is being mobilized to ensure smooth execution. Officials stress that timely verification and transparent handling of claims and objections will be central to the success of the revision exercise.
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With electoral rolls forming the foundation of democratic participation, the upcoming Special Intensive Revision is poised to be one of the most significant nationwide voter list updates in recent years.
