The Election Commission of India (ECI) is gearing up to launch an ambitious All. India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign across the nation, aimed at purifying voter lists. This significant initiative is expected to be announced during a press conference on Monday, potentially covering 10 to 15 states, while the move follows a similar successful campaign conducted in Bihar, with the objective of enhancing the transparency and credibility of the electoral process nationwide.
Key Press Conference at Vigyan Bhawan
The Election Commission will host a crucial press conference at the esteemed Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi on Monday at 4:15 PM. During this event, the commission is slated to unveil the detailed roadmap for the All India SIR campaign. It's widely anticipated that states with upcoming assembly elections will be prioritized in this initial phase. The ECI has meticulously prepared for this rollout, marking a substantial step towards ensuring immaculate electoral rolls across the country. This announcement is poised to ignite significant political debate, particularly among opposition parties.
States Under ECI's Scrutiny
According to sources, the Election Commission is likely to focus on states where assembly elections are scheduled for 2026 in the first phase, while these states reportedly include Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal. An intensive revision campaign will be conducted in these regions to rectify and update voter lists. The ECI's stance is clear: an error-free voter list forms the bedrock of free and fair elections. Because of this, updating electoral rolls before the declaration of elections remains a top priority for the commission.
ECI's Unwavering Stance
The Election Commission of India has consistently reiterated that the SIR campaign will be implemented in all states where voter list rectification is deemed necessary. A similar campaign was successfully concluded in Bihar before the announcement of its assembly elections. As per the commission, this procedure will now be replicated in other states, with SIR being conducted in a phased manner at predetermined intervals before various state assembly elections to ensure the purity of the electoral rolls. This is part of a standardized process designed to uphold the integrity of the electoral system.
Bihar SIR Campaign: Controversy and Supreme Court Intervention
The SIR campaign carried out in Bihar had sparked considerable political controversy. Opposition leaders, notably Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, vehemently protested the campaign, accusing the commission of 'vote theft. ' Despite these strong objections, the Election Commission proceeded with its process, completing the intensive revision of Bihar's voter list. The final list, comprising approximately 7. 42 crore names, was published on September 30. The matter remains sub judice in the Supreme Court, serving as a. Critical platform for those questioning the validity and process of the campaign. The expansion of this campaign nationwide is expected to intensify political reactions and potentially lead to further legal challenges.
