In a significant move to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of India’s democratic process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially rolled out the second phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for electoral rolls. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made the announcement on Monday, October 27, 2025, detailing the extensive exercise designed to thoroughly update voter lists.
This crucial phase will cover a dozen states and Union Territories: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. It is particularly noteworthy that Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal are scheduled for elections in 2026. A separate announcement for Assam, another state heading to polls in 2026, is anticipated.
CEC Kumar emphasized the historical importance of this revision, marking it as the ninth such comprehensive effort since India gained independence. The previous nationwide revision took place between 2002 and 2004. He also proudly reported that the initial phase of the SIR, conducted in Bihar, was completed successfully without any appeals lodged.
During a press conference, Mr. Kumar reiterated the core objective: “The second phase will be conducted in 12 states and Union Territories. SIR will ensure no eligible elector is left out and no ineligible elector is included in poll rolls.” This commitment underscores the ECI’s dedication to maintaining fair and precise electoral records.
The timeline for this revision is set, with draft electoral rolls slated for publication on December 9th. The final, updated voter lists will then be officially released on February 7th, 2026. The critical enumeration process, which involves verifying voter details on the ground, is scheduled to commence on November 4th and is expected to cover a massive 51 crore voters.
Further insights from the first phase indicate that Bihar’s voter list cleanup was effectively completed, culminating in the publication of a final list containing approximately 7.42 crore electors on September 30th. Bihar is preparing for its state elections, which will be held in two phases on November 6th and November 11th, with results to be announced on November 14th.
To ensure a smooth and efficient rollout of the SIR, the Election Commission has already engaged in two rounds of conferences with state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs). Many CEOs have proactively shared their latest voter lists online, promoting transparency and public access to this vital information ahead of the upcoming revision.