The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday, October 27, announced the commencement of the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, including key poll-bound states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
However, Assam, another poll-bound state, has been excluded from the SIR 2.0 list. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar clarified that Assam will conduct a separate voter revision due to its ongoing linkage with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process.
Addressing a press conference alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the CEC said this is the ninth SIR exercise since Independence, with the last one carried out 21 years ago (2002–2004). He added that political parties have repeatedly raised concerns over the accuracy of electoral rolls, prompting the Commission to intensify the revision process. The first phase, completed in Bihar, recorded zero appeals, reflecting its success.
The SIR will commence from October 28 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep.
As part of the ongoing exercise, the Commission has also released a list of indicative (not exhaustive) documents acceptable for voter verification, including government-issued identity cards, birth certificates, passports, educational certificates, residence proofs, and caste or land documents.
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Identity card or Pension Payment Order issued to regular employees/pensioners of Central or State Governments or PSUs
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Any identity card, certificate, or document issued in India by Government, local authorities, Banks, Post Office, LPG agencies, or PSUs prior to July 1, 1987
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Birth certificate issued by a competent authority
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Passport
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Matriculation or educational certificate from recognised boards or universities
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Permanent residence certificate issued by a competent State authority
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Forest Right Certificate
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OBC/SC/ST or any caste certificate issued by the competent authority
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National Register of Citizens (wherever applicable)
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Family register prepared by State or local authorities
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Any land or house allotment certificate issued by the Government
The Commission further stated that for Aadhaar, directions issued through letter No. 23/2025-ERS/Vol.III dated September 9, 2025, will be applicable.
Also Read: Why is poll-bound Assam excluded from Election Commission’s SIR Phase 2
