According to Election Commission officials, more than half of the voters across most states might not need to submit any documents during the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Their inclusion will be based on existing records from the last SIR conducted in their respective states, simplifying the process for millions.
Officials noted that the last Special Intensive Revision for most states occurred between 2002 and 2004. These earlier lists will now serve as the crucial cut-off dates for the new revision initiative.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the national rollout date for this extensive revision soon, with the goal of thoroughly updating voter lists across all states before the end of the year.
Chief Electoral Officers have already been instructed to prepare the electoral rolls published after their state’s previous SIR. Several state CEOs have proactively made these historical voter lists available on their official websites.
For instance, the Delhi CEO’s website currently features the 2008 voter list, reflecting the last intensive revision in the capital. Similarly, Uttarakhand’s state CEO website displays its 2006 electoral roll from its most recent SIR.
This approach means that the most recent SIR in each state will act as the baseline, mirroring how the Election Commission is utilizing Bihar’s 2003 voter list for its current intensive revision.
Under the Election Commission’s directives for Bihar, approximately 4.96 crore voters—around 60% of the total—who were already on the 2003 special intensive revision list will be exempt from submitting additional documents to confirm their date or place of birth. They only need to present the relevant section of that previously published electoral roll.
However, the remaining three crore voters, roughly 40% of the electorate, will be required to provide one of 12 specified documents to verify their place or date of birth.
Furthermore, a new ‘declaration form’ has been introduced for specific applicants, including those seeking to register as electors or relocating from outside the state.
These individuals must declare that they were born in India before July 1, 1987, and submit relevant documents proving their date and/or place of birth.
Another scenario covered by the declaration form applies to those born in India between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004. Such applicants will also need to provide documentation concerning their parents’ date and place of birth.
This Special Intensive Revision in Bihar, a state heading for elections, has faced criticism from opposition parties. They have raised concerns about the timing of the exercise, alleging that millions of eligible citizens could be disenfranchised due to a lack of required documents.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court has urged the Election Commission to ensure that no eligible citizen is overlooked or excluded from the voter rolls.