New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union territories,
including five states heading for Assembly elections next year. The exercise will enrol eligible voters, correct errors and update existing entries. In a letter to the chief electoral officers concerned, the Commission fixed January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date for the revision.
Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa are among the states covered by the exercise. All five are scheduled to elect new Assemblies in 2027. The term of the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Assembly ends on May 22, 2027. The terms of the Assemblies in Manipur, Goa, Punjab and Uttarakhand end on different dates in March that year.
What SSR involves
Special Summary Revision is an exercise to update electoral rolls through verification, public applications and scrutiny of existing entries. Preparatory work includes house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), identification of eligible citizens missing from voter lists and checks for discrepancies.
Officials also identify entries relating to deceased voters, people who have shifted residence and multiple registrations. The process can include standardising addresses and reviewing polling station arrangements where necessary. These steps help identify errors and omissions before authorities publish the draft electoral roll.
Following publication, Electoral Registration Officers invite claims and objections. Citizens can apply for inclusion, seek corrections or object to entries they believe are inaccurate. Authorities examine and dispose of these applications according to the prescribed procedure before publishing the final rolls.
First-time voters in focus
The revision will give eligible citizens an opportunity to register, with particular attention to young people and first-time voters. Existing voters can also use the exercise to check their details and seek changes where required. Verification and scrutiny of applications will form part of the process before the updated lists are finalised.
The Commission is expected to announce a detailed schedule covering publication of the draft rolls, the window for claims and objections, and publication of the final electoral rolls.
