The Election Commission has launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Meghalaya. The exercise involves
door-to-door verification of voters by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure electoral rolls are accurate, updated and free of duplicate or ineligible entries.
If you’re confused about what that means for you as a voter and the steps you need to follow to ensure your name is in the voter rolls, here’s a simple FAQ:
[q]What Is The Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?[/q]
[ans]SIR is a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by the Election Commission to update electoral rolls through house-to-house verification. It aims to include all eligible voters, remove duplicate entries, delete names of deceased or permanently shifted voters, correct errors in voter details, and ensure only eligible Indian citizens are enrolled.
The commission says such intensive revisions have been carried out in the past, with the last nationwide exercise of this nature conducted over two decades ago.[/ans]
[q]Which States Are Currently Covered?[/q]
[ans]The latest phase of SIR has begun in Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Meghalaya. Different states may have slightly different timelines announced by their Chief Electoral Officers.[/ans]
[q]Who Will Visit My House?[/q]
[ans]A Booth Level Officer (BLO) assigned to your polling station will visit your residence.
The BLO may verify your identity and address, confirm details of family members, hand over an enumeration form if required, collect supporting documents where necessary, and answer queries related to voter registration. The BLO carries an official Election Commission identity card and you must check it before allowing them entry into your home.[/ans]
[q]Do I Have To Be At Home?[/q]
[ans]Ideally, yes. If no one is available when the BLO visits, the officer may revisit later. They may also leave a contact slip or notice with instructions. You can also complete the process online or contact your BLO.[/ans]
[q]What If My House Is Locked?[/q]
[ans]Your name is not automatically deleted. If the house is locked, the BLO will usually make another visit. You can also complete verification through the prescribed online process or by contacting election officials before the deadline.[/ans]
[q]Do All Voters Need To Submit Documents?[/q]
[ans]Not necessarily. The Election Commission says many voters may simply need to verify their details. In some cases, supporting documents may be sought to establish identity, age, address or citizenship-related eligibility if required during verification or if there are discrepancies. The exact requirements can vary depending on the category of voter and the information available with the commission.[/ans]
[q]Which Documents May Be Accepted?[/q]
[ans]Depending on the case, documents may include Aadhaar, passport, birth certificate, residence proof, and other documents specified by the Election Commission. The commission has clarified that document requirements depend on the individual case and category of elector.[/ans]
[q]Can I Complete The Process Online?[/q]
[ans]Yes. Electors can fill and submit the Enumeration Form online through the Election Commission’s voter services platform, apart from the offline process through BLOs.[/ans]
[q]What Is An Enumeration Form?[/q]
[ans]It is the form used during the SIR exercise to verify or update a voter’s information. The form captures details such as name, address, age, family information, and previous electoral roll details, where applicable. Supporting documents may also need to be uploaded or submitted, depending on the case.[/ans]
[q]Can First-Time Voters Register During SIR?[/q]
[ans]Yes. Eligible citizens who have turned 18 and satisfy the eligibility conditions can apply for inclusion in the electoral roll through the prescribed process.[/ans]
[q]I Recently Got Married And Shifted. What Should I Do?[/q]
[ans]You can apply for inclusion at your new address and request deletion from your previous constituency if applicable. You can also submit the necessary documents through the BLO or online portal.[/ans]
[q]What If I Live In A Rented House?[/q]
[ans]Yes, tenants are also eligible to be enrolled if they ordinarily reside at that address. The BLO may verify your residence and ask for supporting address proof if required.[/ans]
[q]I Live In A Gated Society Or Apartment. Will The BLO Still Visit?[/q]
[ans]Yes. BLOs are expected to visit all households in their assigned polling areas. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and apartment managements are often requested to facilitate access where necessary.[/ans]
[q]My Parents Are Elderly Or Bedridden. Do They Need To Visit Any Office?[/q]
[ans]No. The SIR exercise is designed as a door-to-door verification. If additional clarification is needed, election officials may contact the voter, but elderly and differently abled voters are not generally required to visit an office merely for verification.[/ans]
[q]Can One Family Member Submit Forms For Everyone?[/q]
[ans]Generally, yes. One family member can collect and submit Enumeration Forms for other members of the household, provided each form is correctly filled and signed (or otherwise authenticated as required).[/ans]
[q]Will The BLO Take Away My Original Documents?[/q]
[ans]No. The BLO may inspect original documents for verification, but originals are not retained. Only copies or uploaded scans, where required, are submitted.[/ans]
[q]How Can I Check Whether My Verification Has Been Completed?[/q]
[ans]You can ask your BLO during the visit, check your voter details on the Election Commission’s voter portal, or contact your ERO if you’re unsure about your status.[/ans]
[q]Is There Any Fee For The SIR Process?[/q]
[ans]No. The entire verification process is free. No election official is authorised to charge any fee for voter verification or updating electoral details.[/ans]
[q]What If My Name Is Missing From The Voter List?[/q]
[ans]If you discover your name is missing, contact your BLO, approach the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), and apply for inclusion through the prescribed forms within the notified timeline.[/ans]
[q]Will My Name Be Deleted Immediately If There’s An Issue?[/q]
[ans]No. Where discrepancies arise, the Election Commission’s process provides for notices and an opportunity to furnish information or documents before any final decision on claims or objections is taken, in accordance with electoral roll revision procedures.[/ans]
[q]Why Is The Election Commission Conducting SIR Now?[/q]
[ans]According to the Election Commission, the exercise is intended to improve the quality of electoral rolls by addressing migration of voters, duplicate registrations, deaths that have not been updated, errors in voter information, and inclusion of all eligible citizens.
The commission says this helps maintain “clean, correct and updated” electoral rolls before upcoming elections.[/ans]
