SIR Voter Roll Cleanup to Go Nationwide
On the eve of the 16th National Voters' Day, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar revealed a major upgrade to India’s democratic infrastructure: the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is set to go nationwide.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi ,25 th January : Following a triumphant pilot in Bihar, where the final voter list achieved the rare feat of facing zero legal appeals, the initiative is currently being executed across 12 states and union territories. The CEC described “pure electoral rolls” as the bedrock of any functioning democracy, emphasizing that the SIR’s goal is simple yet ambitious: ensure every eligible citizen is in, and every ineligible name is out.
The “Bihar Blueprint” for 2026
The nationwide expansion isn’t just a hopeful policy—it’s backed by record-breaking numbers. The 2025 Bihar elections, conducted using the SIR-verified rolls, saw a historic 67.13% voter turnout, the highest since 1951. Women led the charge with an unprecedented 71.78% participation rate.
Beyond cleaning lists, the Commission has been busy modernizing the “voter experience” through several key changes:
The ECINet App: A “super-app” for democracy that consolidates all voter services into one platform to prevent digital fatigue.
Crowd Control: A new cap of 1,200 electors per polling station to ensure shorter queues and better management.
Capacity Building: Over 5,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were trained in New Delhi to handle the transition to SIR.
Global Leadership: India has officially assumed the Chairship of International IDEA for 2026, hosting officials from 70+ countries to share its digital election models.
Youth Outreach: A new program will launch this year specifically to help young voters identify and fight election-related misinformation.
CEC Kumar ended with a direct plea to the youth, reminding them that while tech helps, the primary “service to the nation” remains the simple act of showing up at the booth.
