A special nationwide revision of the electoral rolls is expected to begin by October, sources in the Election Commission said. Preparations for the exercise were discussed during a meeting of the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all states and Union Territories on Wednesday, where the proposal received a green light.
The poll panel recently carried out a similar voter roll revision in Bihar ahead of the state assembly elections. That process will now be expanded to cover all states and Union Territories.
According to sources, the announcement for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) could come even before the Bihar elections conclude. During the conference-cum-workshop, CEOs were asked how soon they could be ready for the revision. Most officials assured the Commission that basic groundwork would be completed by September, paving the way for an October launch.
The day-long meeting, which included presentations lasting over three and a half hours, focused on the logistics and preparations for SIR. The Election Commission also directed state CEOs to prepare a list of documents that can be used for verifying voters during the revision, sources said. These would be based on locally accepted and easily available certificates, which vary across regions.
For example, states with tribal populations, those in the northeast, and coastal areas often have unique documents for identity and residence proof. In several places, regional autonomous councils and local bodies also issue certificates that are widely recognised. The Commission has asked states to factor in these variations while finalising the verification process.
The Election Commission said the main aim of the Special Intensive Revision is to clean up the voter lists by deleting names of the deceased, people who have moved permanently, duplicate entries, or non-citizens, while also making sure that every eligible voter is included.
However, the voter roll revision in Bihar, which was fast-tracked due to upcoming elections, has sparked a row, with the Opposition calling it a political move. The Congress, RJD and Trinamool Congress were among parties that raised concern that the drive could lead to mass deletions of voters from marginalised communities.
The ECI has consistently defended the SIR, asserting that the exercise is crucial for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the electoral rolls. The exercise is expected to be launched across India by October.