In a landmark achievement for India's electoral process, Rajasthan has secured the distinction of becoming the first state in the country to fully digitise its voter lists. The milestone was accomplished under the ambitious Special Intensive Revision-2026 (SIR-2026) programme.
A Collective Victory for Team Rajasthan
Rajasthan's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Naveen Mahajan, officially announced the accomplishment on Saturday. He hailed the feat as a "collective victory of Team Rajasthan," crediting the relentless dedication and coordinated efforts of a vast network of election officials. This team included Booth Level Officers (BLOs), support staff, supervisors, and district election officers across the state.
Mahajan revealed that the state has completed an impressive over 97% of the voter mapping work. This high level of digital preparation has a direct, positive impact on voters. It means that during the upcoming claims and objections phase, only an estimated 3% of voters will be required to submit physical documents for verification. This translates to roughly 30 voters per polling booth needing additional checks, significantly streamlining the process for the vast majority.
Technology and Meticulous Planning Drive Success
The CEO emphasised that the success of the SIR-2026 initiative was not accidental but the result of strategic execution. Meticulous micro-planning and continuous monitoring formed the backbone of the operation. Furthermore, the integration of several technological innovations played a pivotal role in ensuring both speed and reliability.
The election department optimised a suite of digital platforms to facilitate the work. These included:
- The ECINET platform for data management.
- A dedicated BLO application for ground-level officers.
- A portal-based verification system for efficiency.
- A district helpline for support and queries.
Mahajan explained that this advanced digital mapping has made the entire SIR process more transparent and simpler to manage. It enhances booth-wise voter management and, crucially, reduces the burden on voters who would otherwise have to submit documents multiple times. Clear guidelines issued at every administrative level ensured the smooth execution of this massive undertaking.
Next Steps for Voters
With the foundational digitisation work complete, the focus now shifts to citizen verification. In light of these developments, CEO Naveen Mahajan has urged all eligible voters in Rajasthan to proactively check their details. The draft electoral roll is scheduled for publication on December 16. Voters are encouraged to verify their information to ensure accuracy and completeness in the final list, paving the way for a more efficient and inclusive electoral exercise in the future.
