SIR of electoral rolls underway in 12 states, more to follow soon: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories , and will be rolled out soon in the remaining states as part of efforts to ensure “pure” and error-free voter lists.

Speaking on the eve of the Election Commission’s foundation day, also observed as National Voters’ Day , Kumar said the revision exercise is being conducted smoothly in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal .

He said the SIR has already been successfully completed in Bihar , while a separate special revision of electoral rolls is currently underway in Assam .

Describing accurate electoral rolls as the bedrock of democracy , the chief election commissioner said the SIR aims to ensure that every eligible voter is included and all ineligible names are removed from the rolls.

“The most compelling testament to the success of the SIR in Bihar was that not a single appeal was filed against the final electoral roll, establishing its sanctity and credibility,” Kumar said.

According to the Election Commission, elections conducted on the revised rolls recorded historic voter participation , with overall turnout touching 67.13 per cent , the highest since 1951, and women electors registering an unprecedented participation rate of 71.78 per cent .

Kumar said the SIR exercise in the 12 states and UTs is in its final stages, with final electoral rolls expected to be published by early to mid-February 2026 , following completion of claims, objections and verification processes.

He added that no specific timeline has yet been announced for the rollout of the SIR in the remaining states, but assured that it would begin “soon”.

The chief election commissioner also called upon voters, particularly the youth, to vote without fail and act as ambassadors of democracy , urging them to remain vigilant against misinformation and false narratives related to the electoral process.

The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950 , a day before the country became a republic. The day has been celebrated as National Voters’ Day for the past 16 years.