Following the completion of the voter list revision in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has now moved on to the second stage of a nationwide voter list verification pan-India SIR and correction endeavour across 12 states.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar briefed the media that the overall goal of the drive is to support a clean, transparent, and inclusive electoral roll in advance of the upcoming assembly and general elections.
Acting with integrity and respect for the electorate
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, speaking to the media, stated the priority of the Election Commission is to ensure the name of every eligible citizen is listed accurately in the voter list.
“This phase will predominantly identify duplicate entries, dispose of deceased names, and incorporate eligible new voters, focusing on first-time voters,” he added.
Gyanesh Kumar further stated that the commission will better enhance the door-to-door verification and digital cross-checks through the Voter Helpline App and National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP) to ensure appropriate removal of mistakes and inaccuracies.
States Covered in Second Phase
Initially, the revision will encompass a total of 12 states, namely Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala.
The revision will last until the end of November, after which the final versions of the electoral rolls will be released, then used for electoral readiness, including the state assembly elections and the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in 2026.
Utilisation of Technology for Accuracy
The Election Commission has also implemented AI-assisted tools for voter roll management, which automatically identify anomalies, such as duplicate voter IDs or discrepancies in personal information.
District Election Officers (DEOs) have also been instructed to perform random field verifications, making sure that every legitimate voter is added during the revision.
Additionally, citizens are now able to check, revise, or delete entries online, through the official www.eci.gov.in portal or their nearest Booth Level Officer (BLO).
Encouraging First-Time Voters
CEC Gyanesh Kumar motivated young persons who are turning 18 to register at this time.
“We ask every new voter to engage in shaping the future of our democracy. Your vote is your voice,” he said.
The election commission will create awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and on social media to promote youth participation and urban voters’ inclusion.
A Step Toward Stronger Democracy
The second phase of the voting list revision exhibits the election commission’s commitment to providing every Indian citizen access to the electoral process. With an increased emphasis on technology, inclusion, and transparency, this campaign aims to encourage month activity moving forward for a stronger foundation of free and fair elections in the world’s largest democracy.
