The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a mechanism used by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to update and purify electoral rolls more rigorously than the routine annual revision. It is undertaken when ordinary revision is insufficient to correct large-scale inaccuracies.
Why Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is Conducted?
ECI orders SIR when:
- Mass inaccuracies in rolls are detected (duplicates, deceased voters, shifted voters).
- There are major demographic changes (migration, urbanisation, new settlements).
- Routine annual revision cannot ensure a clean and error-free electoral roll.
- Prior elections revealed serious roll defects or exclusion issues.
Key Features of SIR
- House-to-House Verification
- Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visit every household.
- Verify the names of existing voters.
- Identify shifted, dead, duplicate, or ineligible voters.
- Identify eligible but unregistered citizens (18+ or soon to be 18).
- Special Camps
- Conducted at polling stations.
- Public participation encouraged to verify their names.
- Forms for addition (Form 6), deletion (Form 7), correction (Form 8) accepted.
- Extensive Publicity
- Local media, notices, miking.
- Ensures maximum voter awareness.
- Use of Technology
- EPIC verification, Aadhaar-based authentication (voluntary).
- GARUDA app, ERONet, NVSP portal.
- Monitoring
- Supervised by District Election Officers (DEOs) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
- ECI may deploy observers for quality checks.
Steps in SIR (Process Flow)
- Publication of Existing Roll (Draft Roll)
- House-to-House Verification by BLOs
- Receiving Claims and Objections
- Form 6 (addition)
- Form 7 (deletion)
- Form 8 (correction/transfer)
- Special Camps at Polling Stations
- Disposal of Claims and Objections
- Preparation of Cleaned Draft Roll
- Final Publication of Electoral Roll
Legal Basis
- Conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- ECI guidelines govern the procedure for intensive revision.
Significance of SIR
- Ensures inclusive and error-free electoral rolls.
- Prevents electoral malpractices such as impersonation and bogus voting.
- Helps include marginalised populations, migrants, and youth.
- Strengthens electoral integrity and public trust.
Current Relevance (UPSC Angle)
- ECI conducting SIR in many states before elections due to migration and urban expansion.
- Part of broader reforms including digitisation and voluntary Aadhaar linkage.
- Important for GS-II (Polity & Governance), Prelims (ECI), and Essay on electoral reforms.