The second phase of the nationwide rollout of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls has introduced a user-friendly format that requires no paperwork, based on lessons learned from the SIR project in Bihar. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the dates for the second phase, stating that voters only need to submit one of 12 documents if their names do not match the old and new voter lists after filling out the enumeration form.
In Bihar, voters had to submit one of 11 documents along with their enumeration forms to prove eligibility. However, in this new phase, voters can now check their names themselves on the Election Commission’s website and only need to submit paperwork if their names and their parents’ names do not appear in the lists.
Aadhaar cards have been added to the list of acceptable documents, and voters can now submit soft copies of their paperwork online. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also mentioned that elections in Assam next year will not undergo the SIR process due to the state’s different citizenship rules.
The second phase of SIR will take place in 12 states and Union Territories, including Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The aim of this phase is to remove any duplication of electors in the electoral roll through de-duplication software.
The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized the importance of filling out the enumeration form from only one place, as multiple forms may result in action being taken against the voter. The SIR process has been designed to streamline voter registration and ensure accuracy in the voter rolls, ultimately improving the electoral process in India.
