The Election Commission of India (ECI) has finally unveiled the much-anticipated draft electoral roll for Uttar Pradesh under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 exercise. This crucial list, whose release was postponed thrice, is now available for public scrutiny. Voters across major cities like Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Agra, as well as all other districts in the state, must verify their inclusion promptly.
What is the UP SIR 2026 and Why is it Critical?
The SIR is not a routine annual update. It is a large-scale, intensive verification drive initiated by the ECI under the powers granted by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Commission has stated that standard yearly revisions are insufficient to address deep-rooted "legacy data" issues.
These errors have accumulated because India has not conducted a comprehensive nationwide house-to-house revision of voter lists since 2002-2004. Uttar Pradesh is projected to see the highest number of deletions in this cleanup process, followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, based on earlier draft rolls from states.
Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Name in the Draft Voter List
To ensure your voting rights are intact, follow these steps to search for your name in the UP SIR draft roll 2026:
Method 1: Via the Voters' Service Portal
First, visit the official ECI portal at https://voters.eci.gov.in/. Locate and click on the section titled 'Special Intensive Revision (SIR)- 2026'. You will then have two primary search options:
- Search by Electoral Details: Fill in precise information such as your state (Uttar Pradesh), district, assembly constituency, polling station details, and your full name as per the SIR list along with relative's details. Enter the Captcha and click search.
- Search in Last SIR E-Roll: Select your state, then district, and then the Assembly Constituency (AC) to view the relevant electoral roll list.
Method 2: Using the ECINET Mobile App
You can also perform the same check conveniently through the official ECINET mobile application on your smartphone, following a similar process.
What to Do If Your Name is Missing from the Voter List?
If your search yields no result and your name is absent from the draft list, you must take immediate action. You need to submit an application for inclusion to the Election Commission.
As explained by UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa, voters deemed "untraceable" or missing who wish to be reinstated must provide proof of their inclusion in the 2003 SIR list or any other document prescribed by the ECI. The Commission is also inviting objections against the nearly 12.55 crore names currently featuring in the draft roll.
Process for Objection or Inclusion:
- For objections to an existing entry, you must file Form 7. If validated, the objected name may be deleted.
- For claiming inclusion of a missing name, submit the requisite application form.
- These forms can be submitted online at voters.eci.gov.in or via the ECINET app, or offline by visiting your Booth Level Officer (BLO).
List of Prescribed Documents for Verification
Keep these documents handy for the verification process. The ECI accepts a wide range of proofs, including:
- Any government-issued identity card or pension payment order.
- Pre-July 1987 documents from banks, post offices, LIC, or PSUs.
- Birth certificate, Passport, or Matriculation certificate.
- Permanent residence certificate, caste certificate (OBC/SC/ST), or Forest Right Certificate.
- Land/house allotment certificate, family register, or extract of the Bihar SIR electoral roll.
- Aadhaar can be used only as proof of identity, not citizenship.
This SIR exercise is a critical step towards purifying the electoral roll in Uttar Pradesh. With a significant number of deletions expected, voters are urged to proactively check their status and follow the official process to secure their fundamental right to vote in the upcoming elections.
