EC to roll out SIR in TN, Kerala, Bengal, 9 other states; poll-bound Assam left out

TMC warns EC against any attempt to ‘manipulate’ voter lists during SIR

Reacting swiftly to the announcement by the Election Commission on Monday (October 27) that Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls will be conducted in 12 States and Union Territories including West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) warned against any attempt to manipulate voter lists.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Monday, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh made it clear that the party would not remain silent if a single genuine voter’s name was removed during the process.

“If anyone is harassed or unfairly deleted from the voters’ list, we will surround the EC office in Delhi with one lakh party workers,” Ghosh said, adding that the party is not against preparation of an error-free electoral rolls.

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Congress questions credibility of new SIR; cites Bihar 'vote theft'

Reacting to the Election Commission’s announcement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 12 states, Congress questioned the credibility of the process.

 “We still haven’t received any answers regarding the SIR conducted in Bihar. The situation had deteriorated to the point that the Supreme Court had to step in,” said, party spokesperson Pawan Khera

Khera alleged that the Bihar SIR “exposed the intentions of the Election Commission and the BJP before the entire nation.” He pointed out that during any SIR, officials are expected to visit each household to add new voters and remove ineligible ones, but after Rahul Gandhi revealed instances of “vote theft” in the Aaland Assembly constituency, “the SIT found evidence of a coordinated effort to delete voter names.”

“In such circumstances,” Khera said, “the Election Commission’s decision to conduct another SIR raises doubts about its intentions. Both the opposition and the voters are deeply dissatisfied.”

DMK attacks SIR, cites '65 lakh' Bihar deletion; CM Stalin calls urgent training

Lashing out at the Election Commission’s decision to hold phase two of the SIR, the DMK has said that the poll panel “removed the voting rights of more than 65 lakh people in Bihar” and has announced that it will implement it in Tamil Nadu also.

“My polling station is a winning polling station" The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights granted to everyone by the Indian Constitution, but to snatch this from the common people and win by a shortcut, the BJP government has taken up the Special Intensive Voter List Amendment (SIR) through the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission, which removed the voting rights of more than 65 lakh people in Bihar through the SIR, has now announced that it will implement it in Tamil Nadu as well,” stated the DMK in a post on X.

“However, the DMK has a great responsibility and responsibility to protect the voting rights of Tamils. Therefore, to save Tamil Nadu from the injustice of SIR - to ensure the victory of the party at every polling booth - what tasks should be carried out, how to carry them out, how to coordinate everyone from the party leadership to the volunteers at the doorstep, and to implement them in the field, tomorrow (28.10.2025) Tuesday, at 9.00 am at the Confluence Hall on ECR Road, Mamallapuram, the party President, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. @mkstalin A training session titled "My Polling Station, Winning Polling Station" will be held under their leadership. Let's protect the people's right to vote - let's protect Tamil Nadu from tyranny!” it added.

West Bengal SIR sparks TMC, BJP political slugfest

The EC's announcement of a special intensive revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal sparked a political slugfest, with the ruling TMC apprehending attempts may be made to "delete the names of eligible voters at the behest of the BJP", while the saffron party maintained that "no illegal voter will be spared".

Reacting sharply to the Election Commission's move, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the party will "democratically protest" any attempt to remove genuine voters from the list.

"If any attempts are being made to delete the names of any eligible voter, there will be protests. We have no problem with electoral roll revision, but in the name of it, if someone tries to delete the name of any eligible voter at the behest of the BJP, we will protest democratically," Ghosh said.

He urged people to remain calm and not fall into what he called the "BJP's trap".

"We would urge everyone to maintain calm and not fall into the trap of the BJP. Just remember that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee are with the people of West Bengal," he said.

The BJP, however, welcomed the Election Commission's move, calling it a necessary step to "weed out illegal voters".

Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said, "No illegal voters will be spared. Those who are legitimate voters have nothing to fear. But the infiltrators, who are the vote bank of the TMC, will be weeded out." The Election Commission on Monday announced that the phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls will be conducted in 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, starting November 4.

Kiren Rijiju praises ECI for 'clean' voter list efforts

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking about Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across 12 States and Union Territories, praised the Election Commission’s efforts to clean up electoral rolls. He said the process of removing the names of deceased persons, migrants, and foreign nationals from the voter list is commendable and essential for fair elections. A properly maintained voter list, he emphasised, ensures smooth conduct of polls, whereas retaining fake or ineligible voters undermines accuracy. Rijiju added that the Opposition should recognise the Commission’s positive work instead of criticising it.

Aadhaar is 12th document for SIR; list largely same

CEC Gyanesh Kumar stated that an indicative list of 11 identity documents has been finalized, with Aadhaar added as the 12th, following consultations with nearly all Chief Electoral Officers. However, he noted that during hearings where an individual needs to establish citizenship, any alternative document submitted can be considered by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). He clarified that, overall, the indicative list of documents will largely remain unchanged.

Phase 2 of SIR: Key takeaways

1. Second phase of SIR covers 12 states/UTs

Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will be conducted across 12 States and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

2. Schedule announced by the ECI

Printing/Training: 28 Oct-3 Nov 2025

House-to-House Enumeration: 4 Nov- 4 Dec 2025

Draft Electoral Rolls Publication: 9 Dec 2025

Claims & Objections: 9 Dec 2025-8 Jan 2026

Hearing & Verification: 9 Dec 2025-31 Jan 2026

Final Electoral Rolls Publication: 7 Feb 2026

3. Voter list freeze & enumeration process

The voter lists in all 12 states where SIR will be conducted will be frozen at 12 am today (October 28) before enumeration begins.

Booth level officers (BLOs) will distribute Unique Enumeration Forms containing current voter details.

Voters must match their names with the 2003 voter list. If their name or their parents’s names existed on that list, no new documents are required.

Voter lists from 2002-2004 will be accessible on voters.eci.gov.in

4. Assam excluded from Phase 2

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar clarified that Assam will have a separate revision process as its citizenship verification is being conducted under Supreme Court supervision.

5. Aadhaar not proof of citizenship

CEC reiterated the Supreme Court’s position that Aadhaar cannot serve as proof of citizenship, domicile, or date of birth, only as proof of identity. The Aadhaar Authority’s latest notification reflects this, he further said.

6. Indicative list of documents finalised

The CEC said that an indicative list of 12 documents (including Aadhaar) has been prepared after discussion with State Chief Election Officers (CEOs).

However, during hearings, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) may accept other valid documents if citizenship proof is required.

7. BLOs to visit every household thrice

BLOs will make three visits to ensure voter verification, especially for those absent or migrated. They will also handle online verification for urban and migrant voters.

To resolve the issue of migrants, the verification can do this online too. Urban voters will be at their office during the day, so they too can do it online.

If a voter has died, migrated permanently, or is registered at multiple locations, they cannot sign the Enumeration Form, such cases must be flagged by BLOs.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar says migrant voters can complete verification online

CEC Gyanesh Kumar explained that often when Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit homes, voters may be away or unable to immediately verify their details. To address this, BLOs will make three visits to each household. He added that to handle issues related to migrant voters, the process can also be completed online. Urban voters, who are usually occupied during office hours, can likewise use the online option. Kumar further stated that BLOs must ensure that when the Enumeration Form is issued, it is returned with the voter’s signature. If a voter has passed away, moved permanently, or is registered in more than one location, they will be unable to sign the form. It is the BLO’s duty to identify such cases, he emphasized.

West Bengal BJP files complaint with CEC against TMC govt over transfer of 235 officers

West Bengal BJP files a complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) regarding violation after the TMC govt transfers 235 officers, including 17 DMs, 22 ADMs, 45 SDOs & 151 BDOs, post SIR announcement.

The opposition party demands the immediate annulment of the ‘irregular transfers’ carried out without ECI approval.

CEC announces SIR phase two schedule: Final list by February 7

CEC Gyanesh Kumar announced the schedule for the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to be conducted across 12 states and Union Territories. He detailed that the printing and training activities will take place from October 28 to November 3, 2025. The house-to-house enumeration phase is scheduled from November 4 to December 4, 2025, followed by the publication of the draft electoral rolls on December 9, 2025. The period for filing claims and objections will run from December 9, 2025, to January 8, 2026. Hearings and verifications under the notice phase will be held between December 9, 2025, and January 31, 2026, culminating in the publication of the final electoral rolls on February 7, 2026.