ECI Launches Phase 3 of Intensive Electoral Roll Revision Across 16 States, 3 UTs

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the third phase of its comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a vital exercise designed to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of voter lists across the nation. This significant announcement was made on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and covers 16 states and three Union Territories (UTs), impacting a massive electorate of over 36 crore (360 million) voters. This current phase is a continuation of the ECI's ongoing efforts to purify the electoral rolls. The process involves meticulous house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to identify eligible new voters, remove names of deceased or permanently shifted electors, and eliminate duplicate entries. The ECI has strategically planned this schedule to align with the ongoing house listing component of the Census exercise, aiming for optimal utilization of field machinery and resources. States and Union Territories included in Phase 3 are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, along with the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNH & DD), and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Notably, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh have been excluded from this phase, with their revision schedules to be announced separately, taking into account prevailing weather conditions in those regions. The Special Intensive Revision is a multi-stage process with clearly defined timelines. For many states under Phase 3, the preparation, training, and printing activities are slated to occur from late May to early June 2026. Following this, the crucial house-to-house verification by BLOs will commence, typically running for about a month from early June to early July 2026. Rationalization of polling stations is also a key pre-revision activity that will be completed within this period. Subsequent steps include the publication of the draft electoral rolls, expected around early to mid-July 2026. This period will be followed by a window for filing claims and objections, allowing citizens to propose additions, deletions, or corrections to the draft rolls. The ECI has emphasized the importance of transparency and public participation throughout this exercise. Recognized political parties are strongly encouraged to appoint their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to work in conjunction with BLOs, ensuring a fair and transparent revision process and addressing any potential discrepancies. The disposal of claims and objections will then take place, culminating in the final publication of the electoral rolls. The final electoral rolls for states like Telangana are expected by October 1, 2026, while for Delhi, it's October 7, 2026. This phased approach to the Special Intensive Revision began with Phase 1, which was conducted between June and September 2025, with Bihar being the first state to undergo the SIR process ahead of its Assembly elections. Phase 2 commenced on October 27, 2025, covering 12 states and three Union Territories, including significant states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, with the final voter lists for these regions published by February 7, 2026, and some revised dates extending to February 14, 2026. The exercise during Phase 2 reportedly led to a reduction of approximately 10.2% in the total number of electors, highlighting the effectiveness of the purification drive. The overall objective of the SIR, as outlined by the ECI, is to maintain the integrity of the electoral roll, ensuring that all eligible citizens are included, no ineligible voters are present, and names of deceased, shifted, or absentee voters are eliminated. This meticulous process is fundamental for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, which is the bedrock of India's democracy. The ECI's actions are guided by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which empower the commission to revise electoral rolls without prior permission from any authority. The transparency measures include providing free copies of draft and final electoral rolls to political parties and hosting them on CEO/DEO websites. The ECI also ensures that applications for new registrations, corrections, or deletions are processed with due inquiry and public participation. In essence, the announcement of Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision underscores the ECI's commitment to a robust and error-free electoral system, crucial for the democratic health of India. This large-scale revision is a continuous and evolving process, adapting to demographic changes like rapid urbanization and migration, and incorporating new provisions like advance applications for 17+ year-olds to register as voters.

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