The Hindu Editorial Analysis
8 November 2025
A Wider SIR Has Momentum but It Is Still a Test Case
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper II: Election Reforms, Electoral Process, Role of ECI | GS Paper IV: Institutional Accountability and Public Trust
Context
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rolled out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three Union Territories — including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and West Bengal — as part of its nationwide revision exercise in preparation for upcoming elections in 2026.
This exercise aims to strengthen voter registration accuracy, enhance inclusivity, and eliminate duplication, but remains a complex administrative and political test.
Key Features of the Current SIR
- This is only the sixth SIR in 75 years of India’s electoral history and the first after a seven-year gap.
- Covers over 321 districts and 1,843 Assembly constituencies, involving nearly 5.33 lakh polling stations and over 7.6 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
- Ensures verification of citizenship, residence, and age eligibility through a document-based verification process.
- The final electoral roll will be released on February 7, 2026.
Challenges and Complexities
- One-size-fits-all problem:
The SIR faces diverse challenges across States — for example, infiltration issues in border states like Bengal and Assam, and citizenship verification complexities in others. - Administrative Burden:
Mobilising BLOs and state government machinery during multiple election cycles poses logistical strain. - Political Sensitivities:
Parties in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have expressed fears that eligible voters might be excluded. The ECI must maintain transparency and public confidence while avoiding political confrontation. - Voter Confidence and Participation:
Ensuring trust in the enumeration phase is critical. The use of digital tools, blank forms for new voters, and structured local participation is key to improving accuracy.
Significance of the SIR
- Reaffirms the citizen’s right to vote and to be enrolled under Article 326 of the Constitution.
- Encourages a “citizen-first” approach in voter registration, aligning with the ECI’s mandate of free and fair elections.
- Serves as a test case for nationwide electoral integrity, especially in ensuring inclusivity for internal migrants and new voters.
Way Forward
- Empathy and flexibility: The ECI should balance strict verification with sensitivity toward local socio-political contexts.
- Institutional collaboration: State governments must provide adequate manpower support and avoid administrative reshuffling mid-process.
- Public awareness and digital inclusion: Use of apps, public campaigns, and voter facilitation centres can help boost participation.
- Legal consistency: The SIR process should remain shielded from partisan interference to preserve credibility.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a crucial test of India’s electoral resilience. It must reaffirm the ECI’s commitment to inclusive democracy, transparency, and accuracy in voter registration.
“The SIR is not merely a bureaucratic exercise — it is a democratic reaffirmation of every citizen’s right to be counted.”