In a significant policy shift, the Election Commission (EC) has announced that electors will no longer need to submit documents during the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which is set to be conducted across 12 states and Union Territories in its second phase. The decision marks a departure from the norms followed during the Bihar SIR earlier this yea
Documents not required during enumeration
As per the EC’s latest directions, no documents will be collected from electors at the enumeration stage. Instead, those whose details could not be linked with previous SIR data will be served a notice by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to verify their eligibility under Article 326 of the Constitution.
Electors in such cases will need to submit any one of the 11 indicative documents, the same as those used during the Bihar SIR, to prove citizenship as per the Citizenship Act.
While Aadhaar may be accepted as proof of identity, it cannot serve as proof of citizenship. The ERO may also rely on any other alternative document submitted by the elector, ensuring flexibility in the verification process.
Modified enumeration form introduced
To streamline the verification process, the EC has introduced a modified enumeration form. It will now capture additional details such as entries of the elector or their relatives from the last SIR conducted between 2002 and 2004.
The updated form includes fields for the elector’s or relative’s name, EPIC number (if available), relationship, district, state, and assembly constituency details.
Procedure for non-returned enumeration forms
For electors whose enumeration forms are not returned, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been directed to conduct inquiries among nearby residents to determine the probable reason — such as absence, shifting, death, or duplication.
Lists of electors excluded from the draft roll, along with probable reasons, will be displayed on the notice boards of panchayat offices, local bodies, and BDO offices, and will also be available on the Chief Electoral Officer’s website for public reference.
BLOs to carry blank forms during house visits
During house-to-house visits, BLOs will carry at least 30 blank Form 6 applications and declaration forms to assist citizens who wish to enrol as new voters.
Additionally, EROs will invite advance applications for subsequent qualifying dates — April 1, July 1, and October 1, 2026 — ensuring that newly eligible voters can be included promptly.
Timeline and concurrent processing
The pan-India SIR will last 103 days, extending five days longer than the Bihar exercise. Preparatory activities, including printing of enumeration forms, will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by the enumeration period from November 4 to December 4, 2025.
A major procedural improvement is that, unlike the Bihar SIR, the notice phase, verification of enumeration forms, and disposal of claims and objections will be carried out simultaneously between December 9, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
Draft and final roll publication schedule
The draft electoral roll will be published on December 9, with claims and objections accepted until January 8, 2026, and resolved by January 31, 2026. The final roll will be released on February 7, 2026.
The EC has also directed that polling stations across the country be rationalised to accommodate a maximum of 1,200 voters each by December 4.
Zero complaints in Bihar SIR, says CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar noted that the Bihar SIR concluded with “zero complaints,” reinforcing the EC’s confidence in extending the exercise nationwide. The Commission expects the streamlined, document-free approach to enhance transparency, reduce paperwork, and accelerate the inclusion process across India.