The Election Commission of India has launched the second phase of its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in 12 states, introducing changes to make the process more inclusive than the controversial Bihar exercise. Starting October 28, the revision softens emphasis on citizenship verification and widens options for linking voter records. This aims to trace more existing voters without immediate document demands.
The Election Commission (EC) began the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on October 28, 2025, across 12 states and Union Territories, excluding Assam due to its ongoing National Register of Citizens process. This nationwide effort differs significantly from the Bihar SIR notified on June 24, which had raised concerns over demands for citizenship proofs from voters registered after 2003.
In Bihar, the enumeration phase required many existing electors to provide documents proving age and citizenship, causing anxiety. The nationwide SIR shifts focus to inclusion: enumerators trace voters to the last SIR rolls through their own entries, or those of parents or relatives, without needing documents initially. The enumeration form now includes two new columns for establishing this link, a change first introduced belatedly in Bihar based on field feedback.
Further adjustments allow voters to connect to any state's previous intensive revision roll, not just their current one. For instance, a migrant from West Bengal now in Tamil Nadu can link to West Bengal's 2002 roll. Documents are required only for those absent from any prior SIR roll, unlike Bihar where most post-2003 voters needed proofs.
The EC has softened its tone on citizenship, stating it remains an eligibility criterion but is not the central test. Aadhaar is included as the 12th acceptable document following Supreme Court intervention in the Bihar case. New applicants, including 18-year-olds, can now submit Form 6 during enumeration, rather than later.
Unlike the Bihar rollout, which surprised parties and officials, the nationwide phase starts with consultations between Chief Electoral Officers and political parties to explain the process and involve them as stakeholders. The BJP has welcomed the SIR in Assam separately, while Congress has questioned it, citing the state's NRC provisions.
These changes aim to reduce burdens on voters while ensuring accurate rolls ahead of assembly elections.