EC rolls out SIR 2.0 in 12 states, UTs targeting 51 crore voters

Under SIR 2.0, the enumeration phase begins today and will continue until December 4

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday initiated the second phase of special intensive revision (SIR) – the voters’ list clean-up exercise – across nine states and three union territories (UTs).

The move comes just two days ahead of the first phase of Assembly election in Bihar, where a similar revision exercise was recently conducted. During that period, over 68 lakh names were deleted from Bihar’s electoral rolls after verification.

The second phase of the SIR will cover over 51 crore voters across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry are among the states scheduled to hold Assembly polls next year.

Under SIR 2.0, the enumeration phase begins today and will continue until December 4. The Election Commission will publish the draft electoral rolls on December 9, followed by the final rolls on February 7, 2026.

Citizens can submit claims and objections between December 9 and January 8, with hearings and verifications scheduled to conclude by January 31, 2026.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently said that the voter list revision drive in Bihar was a “purification” exercise and a milestone in the making of Indian democracy.

Addressing the gathering at IIT-K on its foundation day, the CEC said “the world’s biggest voter list purification exercise was conducted in Bihar alone and once the drive is extended to 51 crore voters in 12 states, it will mark a historic achievement for the Election Commission and the nation”.

“When this process is completed across the country, people will feel proud not just of the Election Commission but of India’s democratic strength,” Kumar said while addressing the gathering.