The Election Commission will announce the dates for the nationwide SIR tomorrow; these many states may be included in the first phase.

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will hold a press conference on Monday evening to announce the dates for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls across the country. The announcement will be made at 4:15 p.m., with full details shared by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

According to a PTI report, the first phase will cover 10 to 15 states, including those with assembly elections in 2026. SIR is a crucial process for updating and purifying the electoral roll, involving tasks such as registering new voters, deleting deceased names, removing duplicate entries, and transferring them. This initiative by the Commission is particularly focused on states with upcoming elections, such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Assembly elections are scheduled in these states in 2026, and the accuracy of the electoral rolls will ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

A detailed schedule for the first phase will be released at the press conference. According to sources, this phase will begin in states where election preparations are most urgent. In Tamil Nadu, there is a fierce contest between the DMK and AIADMK, while in West Bengal, the TMC’s challenge to incumbency versus the BJP will be a key issue. The LDF-UDF contest in Kerala, the BJP’s strong hold in Assam, and the Congress-DMK alliance’s role in Puducherry will be closely watched.

Any errors in the voter list in these states can impact election results, so the timeliness of the SIR is crucial. The Commission has strengthened the voter list in recent years by leveraging digital technology. The Voter Helpline app, online registration, and the role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been promoted.

During the SIR, tasks such as door-to-door surveys, handling claims and objections, and updating photo ID cards will be undertaken. After the first phase, other states will be included in a phased manner, so that a uniform process is implemented across the country. This announcement comes at a time when political parties are cautious about voter registration.