Election Commission Launches SIR Nationwide
New Voter List to Be Released on February 7
The Sunday Mail
New Delhi. The Election Commission has announced the second phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across the country. According to the Commission, the second phase of SIR will be completed in 12 states by February 7, 2026. This means the new voter list will be released on February 7, 2026. However, the Congress and the opposition have begun opposing the SIR. The opposition in West Bengal had already been opposing it. But the Election Commission has refused to back down.
The Commission stated that the SIR period will be 103 days. Printing of forms will be completed by November 3. Counting will take place from November 4 to December 4. During this time, polling stations will also be reorganized so that no single station has more than 1,200 voters. The draft voter list will be published on December 9, 2025. Claims and objections will be accepted until January 8, 2026, and all cases will be resolved by January 31, 2026. The final voter list will be published on February 7, 2026.
No Documents Required During the Counting Phase
The Election Commission has announced significant changes to the nationwide SIR. Following the experience of the SIR in Bihar, the Commission has decided not to ask voters for any documents during the counting phase of the SIR implemented nationwide. According to the Commission, no documents will be requested during the counting phase. However, if a voter cannot be linked to the previous SIR, such voters will be issued a notice by the Electoral Registration Officer. Their eligibility will be verified during this process according to the standards set out in Article 326 of the Constitution.
According to the new instructions, such voters will be required to submit one of 12 indicative documents to prove their citizenship. These documents will remain the same as those requested during the Bihar SIR. The Election Commission has clarified that Aadhaar cards will only be accepted as proof of identity, not as a citizenship certificate. This move is in line with the Commission’s September 9th directive. Furthermore, the ERO will have the authority to accept any other alternative document submitted by the voter.
In cases where voters whose enumeration forms are not returned, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will collect information from neighbors and document the possible reasons. Additionally, BLOs will carry at least 30 blank Form-6 and declaration forms so that new voters can apply for immediate enrolment. The Commission has also revised the enumeration form, adding columns for entering the details of the voter or their guardian or relative.
Forms can be filled online
Voters can also fill out the form online. If their name, or the name of their father or mother, was not included in the 2003 list, the ERO will determine eligibility based on 12 documents. If someone possesses additional valid documents beyond the 12 documents specified by the Commission, the Commission will also accept those documents. Even after the ERO’s decision, i.e., after the final list is published, any voter or resident of any constituency can appeal to the District Magistrate and, within 15 days, file a second appeal with the Chief Electoral Officer of the state.
SIR is to be held in these 12 states:
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
