New Delhi: Amid the ongoing controversy related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, Delhi is preparing for what could be its first SIR of electoral rolls in more than 15 years, with officials confirming that groundwork is underway for a potential large-scale house-to-house verification drive, as per some media reports. Notably, the last such exercise in the Capital took place in 2008.
Earlier this month, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi uploaded data from the 2008 SIR to its website, fuelling speculation of a wider national effort to clean up voter rolls. Although Delhi is not due to hold any major elections until at least 2027, the move points to a broader push by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to address inaccuracies in electoral data, particularly in urban areas with high migration rates and shifting demographics.
Preparations have already begun in the city despite no formal directive from the ECI. Similar activity is being reported in several other states, indicating a coordinated revision may be imminent.
We have not received any instructions from ECI: Official
“Right now, we are focused on filling vacancies in the CEO’s office related to election work. We have not yet received any instructions from the Election Commission of India regarding the launch of the SIR in Delhi,” Hindustan Times quoted Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz.
However, a senior official hinted that the process “is likely to begin very soon”, though key details such as the qualifying date and survey timelines remain pending, as per the HT report.
The last SIR in Delhi, carried out between late 2007 and early 2008, used January 1, 2008, as the qualifying date and involved door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). It culminated in the publication of a revised electoral roll on March 16, 2008.
Unlike routine annual summary revisions, which rely heavily on citizens to update their details, an SIR is far more exhaustive. It involves household surveys, document checks, removal of ineligible voters, such as the deceased or those who have relocated and registration of new electors.
Delhi currently has over 15.5 million registered voters
According to Delhi’s most recent summary revision, based on January 1, 2025, as the qualifying date, the city now has 15.5 million registered voters, up from 14.7 million in 2020. Of these, 8.3 million are men, 7.17 million are women and 1,261 identify as third gender.
Elsewhere, preparations are gaining pace. In West Bengal, where assembly polls are scheduled for 2026, the CEO has released partial SIR data from 2022 for 11 districts, covering more than a third of the state’s 294 constituencies. Manipur has also begun groundwork, with Joint CEO Ramananda Nongmeikapam meeting political parties on July 25 to discuss the “proposed SIR” and plans for household surveys and polling station rationalisation.
SIR launched in Bihar
Meanwhile, Bihar has already launched its SIR, which is now at the centre of a Supreme Court case. The court has cautioned it will intervene if the draft roll, due on August 1, shows large-scale voter exclusions. Allegations in Bihar include duplication and the possible removal of more than 6.5 million entries flagged as ineligible. The next hearing is scheduled for August 12.