Pan-India SIR: Electoral rolls in Assam to be announced separately; EC explains reason for exclusion

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Assam, where assembly polls are due in 2026, will be conducted separately.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, explained that the revision process for Assam is being kept independent due to its unique legal provisions under the Citizenship Act.


"Under India’s Citizenship Act, there are separate provisions for Assam. Under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the checking of citizenship there is about to be completed," Kumar said.

Also read: Special voter roll revision to begin in 12 states, including UP, Bengal - see full list

"The 24th SIR order was for the entire country. Under such circumstances, this would not have been applicable to Assam. So, separate orders for revision will be issued for Assam," he added.


Phase two of SIR to cover 12 states and UTs
Kumar announced that the second phase of the SIR will be carried out in 12 states and Union Territories, covering around 51 crore voters. "SIR will ensure no eligible elector is left out and no ineligible elector is included in poll rolls," he stated.

The enumeration process will begin on November 4, with draft rolls to be published on December 9, and the final rolls on February 7.

The 12 regions covered under this phase are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Also read: Important dates and valid documents - check list

Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal are scheduled to go to the polls in 2026.

Further on questions regarding coordination with the West Bengal government, Kumar dismissed reports of tension stating, "There is no confrontation between the Election Commission and the state government. The Commission is doing its duty, and the state government will discharge its duties."



Bihar completes first phase of SIR
Kumar also confirmed that the first phase of the SIR has been successfully completed in Bihar, with zero appeals recorded. The final voters’ list, containing nearly 7.42 crore electors, was published on September 30.

Polling in Bihar will take place in two phases—on November 6 and November 11—with counting on November 14.

The EC has already held two national conferences with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to finalise the SIR roadmap, with several states already uploading updated voter lists on their websites.

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