Mumbai: The Election Commission of India has started preparations for a major update of voter lists across the country. This special drive is called the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The move means that states like Haryana and Maharashtra will soon begin detailed checking and updating of their voter rolls. Officials say this step is important before the next round of elections.
What Is SIR and Why It Matters
SIR is a special process where the voter list is carefully reviewed. During this time, new voters can be added, names of people who have shifted or passed away can be removed, and mistakes in details can be corrected.
In simple words, it is a full cleaning and updating of the voter database to make sure only eligible citizens are listed.
The Commission has asked Chief Electoral Officers in 22 states and Union Territories to complete preparations quickly. These include Haryana, Maharashtra, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha and several others.
Link With Census 2027
The revision work will happen around the same time as the first phase of Census 2027. Between April and September, house listing work for the census is scheduled. Because both exercises involve data collection, officials will need to coordinate carefully.
This overlap may make the process more complex, but authorities say it will help improve accuracy.
What Happened Earlier
Last year in June, the Election Commission had already ordered pre-revision work in most states. Bihar had started the process earlier in 2025.
After Bihar, the SIR exercise was announced in states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Now the focus is shifting to another group of states, including Haryana and Maharashtra.
What Should Voters Do?
Citizens are advised to check their names on the voter list once the process begins in their state. If there are mistakes in age, address or spelling, they can apply for corrections.
This revision is meant to ensure fair and clean elections. If your name is missing, you may not be able to vote. So keeping your details updated is very important.
