IN A step towards conducting a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission is set to hold a conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and Union Territories on September 10 to review preparedness, The Indian Express has learnt.
Significantly, the EC is learnt to have sought suggestions from CEOs on additional documents that can be submitted by electors to prove their eligibility, including citizenship. For the ongoing SIR in Bihar, the EC had given an indicative list of 11 documents which included passport, birth certificate and caste certificate, but left out Aadhaar, ration card and the EC’s own Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
The EC’s SIR order has been challenged through a batch of petitions in the Supreme Court, where the next hearing is scheduled for September 8. Apart from challenging the EC’s authority to conduct a check of citizenship, the petitioners have also questioned the
September 8. Apart from challenging the EC’s authority to conduct a check of citizenship, the petitioners have also questioned the rationale behind exclusion of these commonly-held documents.
According to sources, the EC is likely to order the SIR for the rest of the country with January 1, 2026 set as the qualifying date — those who are 18 years old by January 1 next year can apply. In its June 24 order, the EC had said it would conduct the SIR for the entire country, but rolled out the exercise for Bihar first as Assembly elections are due in the state. For the remaining states and UTs, it had said orders would be issued in due course.
