The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will begin from tomorrow in 12 states and Union Territories, including Gujarat.
The SIR exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. The final updated voter lists will be published on February 7, 2026.
According to the ECI, while the revision will be carried out nationwide, it will initially focus on states going to the polls next year. The process has already been completed in Bihar, which faces a two-phase Assembly election next month.
In West Bengal, however, the SIR has sparked political controversy. The ruling Trinamool Congress has opposed the exercise, alleging it is an indirect attempt to introduce the NRC in the state. The BJP, meanwhile, claims the TMC fears the removal of illegal immigrants’ names from the rolls. The Left Front has urged the ECI to ensure that no genuine voter is wrongly deleted during the process.
The last SIR in West Bengal was conducted in 2002.