The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in nine states and three Union Territories in the country. The exercise is part of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) strategy to purify the voter rolls by removing duplicate names, those who have migrated, died or illegal foreigners. The baseline has been set as 2002-04 when the review was done across these states/UTs for the last time.
Accordingly, the voters are required to fill the enumeration form and mention details of any one of their family members who was present in the roll after the previous SIR. In case this is not possible, the voters are required to submit a document to prove their eligibility.
When should one submit a document?
During the Enumeration phase, no document is required to be provided by the elector. However, after the publication of draft Electoral Roll, if Electoral Registration Officer/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer doubts the eligibility of the proposed elector issues notice to such elector, then the concerned elector will have to provide supportive documents to
prove his eligibility, the poll panel said.
And only those who are not able to map any family member, need to submit a document to establish their eligibility for the voter roll.
What documents are required during the SIR?
The ECI has suggested the below list of necessary supportive documents which may be provided by Electors
1. Any Identity card/Pension Payment Order issued to a regular employee/pensioner of any Central Govt./State Govt./PSU.
2. Any Identity Card/Certificate/Document issued in India by the Government/ local authorities/Banks/Post Office/LIC/PSUs prior to 01.07.1987.
3. Birth Certificate issued by the competent authority.
4. Passport
5. Matriculation/Educational certificate issued by recognised Boards/Universities
6. Permanent Residence certificate issued by the competent State authority
7. Forest Right Certificate
8. OBC/SC/ST or any caste certificate issued by the Competent Authority
9. National Register of Citizens (wherever it exists)
10. Family Register, prepared by State/Local authorities.
11. Any land/house allotment certificate by the Government
12. For Aadhaar, the Commission’s directions issued vide letter No. 23/2025-ERS/Vol.II dated 09.09.2025 (Annexure II) shall apply.
13. Extract of the electoral roll of Bihar SIR with reference to 01.07.2025
For Aadhaar Card, the ECI is following the order of the Supreme Court as mentioned during a hearing on the pleas challenging the exercise in Bihar in August this year. The Aadhaar card will be treated only as an identity document and not a citizenship proof, hence, enabling the election commission to seek further documents in case it finds a voter suspicious.