The electoral landscape in India is witnessing a significant update as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls has officially commenced across twelve states, with West Bengal being a key focus. This crucial process, which began in November 2025, involves a meticulous door-to-door verification conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral list.
Handling Deceased Voters on the 2025 List
A primary objective of the SIR is to remove the names of individuals who are no longer eligible to vote. If a person listed on the 2025 voter roll has passed away, the visiting Booth Level Officer will officially record the death during their enumeration. For those forms not submitted, a separate list will be published at all panchayat and municipality offices, as well as on the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) official website.
This public list will explicitly state the reason for a name's omission. Consequently, the name of the deceased individual will be automatically removed from the final voter list, streamlining the process for families and maintaining the roll's validity.
Language and Form Submission Guidelines
Adhering to the Representation of the People Act, the electoral rolls in West Bengal are maintained in three languages: Bengali, English, and, in specific regions, Hindi. Voters are permitted to fill out the enumeration form in any of these languages without facing any issues.
However, officials recommend using either Bengali or English for form submission. This preference aids in the easier cross-referencing of names when the final electoral rolls are published, especially in areas where the roll is not printed in the Devanagari script used for Hindi.
Procedures for Voters Residing Abroad
The revision process also accommodates Indian citizens who are currently outside the country. If an NRI's name is already on the voter list, a relative can submit the required form on their behalf.
Following the submission, a notice for a hearing will be issued by the authorities. The applicant has the flexibility to attend this hearing in person or, subject to the satisfaction of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), can appear through a virtual mode. The final decision on the inclusion will be made by the ERO only after the original documents are physically verified at a subsequent stage.
This comprehensive SIR drive, supported by both BLOs and Booth Level Agents (BLAs), underscores the Election Commission's commitment to a clean and inclusive electoral process, ensuring every legitimate vote counts while safeguarding against discrepancies.
