Introduction
Special Intensive Revision, commonly known as SIR, is a focused exercise undertaken by the Election Commission of India to comprehensively verify and update electoral rolls through house-to-house enumeration. Unlike routine summary revisions, SIR aims to rebuild voter lists afresh to ensure accuracy before major elections. The process seeks to include every eligible citizen while removing ineligible entries such as duplicate voters, deceased persons, shifted voters, and non-citizens. The initiative strengthens electoral integrity and public confidence in the democratic process.
What documents are required during SIR verification?
Voters who were enrolled after 2003 may be asked to produce identity or address proof such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, passports, or other Election Commission-approved documents. The Supreme Court has clarified that documentation requirements must remain flexible and cannot result in arbitrary disenfranchisement. Where documents are unavailable, verification through legacy rolls or local inquiry is permitted.
How are draft and final electoral rolls prepared?
After completing enumeration, the Election Commission publishes draft electoral rolls online and at designated public locations. This draft allows voters to verify whether their names appear correctly. A statutory period is provided for filing claims and objections. Electoral Registration Officers conduct hearings to decide additions, deletions, or corrections. Once this process concludes, the final electoral rolls are published and used for upcoming elections.
What makes SIR different from summary revision?
Special Intensive Revision differs significantly from annual summary revisions. SIR involves complete house-to-house verification rather than relying on self-declarations. It applies stricter scrutiny to post-2003 enrolments, uses real-time digital monitoring, and includes post-revision audits to identify exclusion risks among migrant workers, women, elderly voters, and marginalised communities. Political parties and civil society groups are also consulted during the process.
How was SIR implemented recently across India?
The Election Commission launched a nationwide Special Intensive Revision in late 2025, with Phase II beginning on 4 November across nine states and Union Territories. The exercise covered nearly 51 crore voters, making it one of the largest electoral verification drives in India. States like Bihar adopted stricter verification standards due to large-scale migration, while Kerala and Delhi integrated digital portals to streamline voter participation.
How can citizens check if their name is in the SIR voter list?
Citizens can verify their names in the SIR draft electoral rolls through official Election Commission portals. The National Voters’ Services Portal allows searches using EPIC numbers, names, dates of birth, or constituency details. State Chief Electoral Officer websites also publish booth-wise draft rolls for local verification. If a name does not appear or contains errors, voters can initiate corrective action within the prescribed period.
How can voters in Kerala check their SIR status?
Residents of Kerala can use the Chief Electoral Officer’s official website dedicated to Special Intensive Revision. The portal enables voters to search by district, constituency, polling part number, or EPIC number. Draft rolls are available for download in PDF format, allowing voters to cross-check their details from home. Assistance is also available through local Booth Level Officers and voter helplines.
What can voters do if their name is missing or incorrect?
If a voter’s name is missing, wrongly deleted, or contains errors, they can file statutory forms for inclusion, deletion, correction, or transposition within the claims and objections period. Applications can be submitted online through Election Commission portals or offline through BLOs and Electoral Registration Officers. Every application receives a tracking number, and hearings are conducted before any final decision.
Conclusion
Special Intensive Revision plays a crucial role in safeguarding free and fair elections. By ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect the eligible voting population, SIR reduces electoral fraud and strengthens democratic legitimacy. At the same time, the process must balance verification rigor with inclusivity to prevent wrongful exclusion. Transparent procedures, judicial oversight, and citizen participation remain central to the success of SIR.
