EC Orders Special Voter Enrolment Drive After SIR

Amid the ongoing political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India has announced a special voter enrolment drive in states and Union Territories where the SIR process has been completed. The initiative aims to identify eligible voters whose names were missing from the electoral rolls after the revision, along with young citizens who have recently turned 18 and become eligible to vote. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will play a key role by comparing the pre-SIR and current electoral rolls to identify eligible individuals whose names are no longer listed.

BLOs have also been instructed to conduct door-to-door verification wherever necessary and assist eligible citizens in submitting Form 6 applications for voter registration. The Election Commission has set a target for each BLO to verify around 20 to 25 voters every week and complete the special exercise in approximately one month. Booth-level camps will also be organised to facilitate voter enrolment. The drive will be implemented across 20 states and Union Territories where the SIR process has already been completed. The move comes amid strong opposition criticism of the SIR exercise and protests in Delhi, with opposition parties raising concerns over voter deletions and the electoral roll revision process.