Election Commission: Phase 3 SIR Starts In 4 States To Update Voter Lists

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the commencement of the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across four specific states: Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Manipur. This initiative is aimed at purifying the electoral rolls and ensuring that every eligible citizen is included in the voter list. The door-to-door verification and counting process in these states began on May 30, marking a significant step in the preparation of updated voter records.

Details of the SIR Phase 3 Process

According to the press release issued by the Election Commission, the primary objective of this phase is to rectify existing entries and register new voters. Citizens who submit their relevant forms by June 28, 2026, will see their names included in the upcoming new draft voter list. The process involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visiting households to verify the details of existing voters and provide forms to those who need to register or make corrections.

Voters have the flexibility to fill out these forms and submit them either through the BLOs during their visit or via the online portal provided by the commission. For those whose forms reach the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) by the stipulated deadline of June 28, 2026, their names will be integrated into the draft voter list. However, the commission has clarified that individuals who miss this deadline will still have an opportunity to apply. They can submit Form-6 along with a declaration during the subsequent claims and objections period to ensure their inclusion in the final list.

Involvement of Political Parties and BLAs

To expedite the revision process and ensure maximum coverage, the Election Commission has permitted the involvement of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties. These agents are authorized to assist the public in the registration process. A BLA can collect a maximum of 50 forms per day from the public and is required to hand them over to the respective BLO before the final list is published. This collaborative approach is intended to streamline the collection of data and reach a wider audience.

Recognized national and state-level political parties have the provision to appoint additional BLAs as per their requirements, while during the door-to-door survey, it's mandatory for each BLA to carry at least 30 blank copies of Form-6 and the necessary declaration forms. This ensures that any individual wishing to become a new voter can be provided with the required documentation immediately, thereby facilitating a smoother registration experience.

State-Wise Statistics for Phase 3

The Election Commission has released detailed statistics regarding the scale of operations in the four states involved in this phase, while these figures highlight the extensive manpower and the vast number of voters being covered under the SIR program.

• Odisha: The state has a total of 3,34,14,856 voters. To manage the revision process, 38,123 BLOs have been deployed on the ground, supported by 8,391 BLAs.
• Mizoram: In Mizoram, there are 8,75,008 voters. The commission has assigned 1,353 BLOs for the door-to-door task, with 3,430 BLAs assisting in the process.
• Sikkim: With a voter base of 4,71,077, Sikkim has 572 BLOs actively working in the field, accompanied by 681 BLAs.
• Manipur: The state of Manipur accounts for 20,92,140 voters. A total of 2,996 BLOs are conducting the verification, while 5,003 BLAs are involved in the outreach.

The Election Commission emphasizes that this intensive revision is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. By ensuring that the voter lists are accurate and up-to-date, the commission aims to facilitate a fair and transparent electoral environment in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Manipur.