SIR 2.0 begins in 9 States, 3 U.T.s, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Election Commission launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls in nine States and three Union Territories on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, covering approximately 51 crore voters.
• Booth-level officers (BLOs) are distributing enumeration forms to electors during the exercise, which will continue until December 4.
• Several political parties, including the Trinamool Congress and DMK, have opposed the SIR, alleging potential disenfranchisement of voters.
• The BJP has welcomed the exercise as a step towards ensuring greater transparency in the electoral rolls.

Detailed Insights:

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aims to update and cleanse the electoral rolls by verifying voter details and removing ineligible entries.
• Over 5.3 lakh BLOs will conduct door-to-door visits at least three times to distribute and collect enumeration forms during the revision process.
• In addition to BLOs, 7.64 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs), 10,448 electoral registration officers, and 321 District Election Officers (DEOs) are involved in the SIR exercise.
• The states and UTs included in this phase are Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal; Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry are scheduled for polls in 2026.
• The first phase of SIR was conducted in Bihar earlier in 2025, resulting in the deletion of over 68 lakh names from the electoral rolls.
• Electors can verify their details on the Election Commission's website and utilize the ECINet App or the toll-free helpline 1950 for assistance.
• Draft rolls will be published on December 9, and claims and objections can be submitted between December 9 and January 8.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Electoral Roll: A list of persons eligible to vote in an election.
• Disenfranchisement: The act of depriving someone of the right to vote.
• Booth-Level Officer (BLO): A grassroot level election official responsible for voter registration and verification.