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“Nationwide SIR by January 1, 2026!”
“Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to be conducted across the country by January 1, 2026!”
New Delhi, September 15 (PMI):After Bihar, the Election Commission is now determined to carry out Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the country. Despite strong opposition from political parties, EC officials have been holding continuous meetings to resolve issues that arose during the SIR exercise in Bihar.
In the meantime, the Commission has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in connection with a petition demanding SIR in West Bengal and other states. In its affidavit, the EC stated that January 1, 2026, has been set as the nationwide cut-off date for the exercise, and preparations are underway on that basis.
The petition, filed by Ashwini Upadhyay, urged the court to direct the EC to conduct SIR at regular intervals across all states. The Election Commission, however, opposed the plea, asserting that judicial intervention is unnecessary. It emphasized that preparing and revising electoral rolls, as well as conducting elections, fall exclusively under its jurisdiction.
The EC further noted in its affidavit that under Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act and Rule 25 of the Registration of Electors Rules, it has full constitutional authority to carry out SIR. The manner and timing of the revision, it said, lie solely within its discretion.
The Commission confirmed that a decision has been made to conduct SIR in all states and union territories, with Chief Electoral Officers already instructed to begin preparations. The detailed schedule will be announced in due course.
The development is significant as assembly elections are due in 2026 in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. The EC intends to complete SIR in these states before the polls.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has strongly opposed the move. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of attempting “vote theft” in the name of SIR. The Congress has gone further, alleging collusion between the BJP and the EC, claiming the Commission is acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce opposition votes while adding bogus voters in favor of the BJP.(pressmeiaofinia.com)
