The Election Commission of India (ECI) has undertaken a massive clean-up of the country's voter lists, with a staggering 3.67 crore (36.7 million) names being removed from the draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision 2.0 (SIR 2.0) exercise. This significant revision impacts 11 states and Union Territories across the nation.
Understanding the SIR 2.0 Drive
The Special Intensive Revision 2.0 is a focused initiative by the Election Commission to purify and update the electoral rolls. The process involves a thorough verification to identify and eliminate duplicate, incorrect, or ineligible entries. The removal of such a large number of names underscores the scale of discrepancies that had accumulated in the voter databases of the concerned regions.
It is crucial to note that these deletions are from the draft electoral rolls, which are published for public scrutiny. This phase is designed precisely to allow for corrections and ensure no legitimate voter is disenfranchised.
Window for Correction: Claims and Objections
The EC has clarified that the removal of names is not final. Genuine voters whose names have been inadvertently dropped still have an opportunity to get reinstated. The Commission has opened a claims and objections phase, which provides a critical window for citizens to ensure their voting rights are secured.
Eligible voters can have their names added back to the list by submitting the appropriate application forms to the electoral authorities. The EC has set a firm deadline for this process: January 22, 2026. This gives citizens a clear timeframe to check their enrollment status and take necessary action.
Implications and the Path Forward
This large-scale revision highlights the EC's commitment to maintaining accurate and reliable electoral rolls, which form the bedrock of free and fair elections. An error-free list is essential to prevent electoral fraud and to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
The onus is now on citizens, political parties, and civil society organizations to actively participate in the claims and objections period. Voters are strongly advised to:
- Verify their enrollment status online or via voter helplines.
- Submit Form 6 for new registrations or to include a name that was wrongly deleted.
- Raise objections against any ineligible entries still present on the list.
With the deadline of January 22 approaching, the Election Commission's move sets the stage for more precise and trustworthy voter lists ahead of future electoral exercises.
