ECI Excludes Assam from Phase Two of Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls

GUWAHATI- In a significant development for India’s electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that Assam will not be included in the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, opting instead for a separate revision exercise tailored to the state’s unique citizenship framework.

The decision was revealed during a press conference by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who emphasized that the exclusion stems from Assam’s “separate citizenship provisions” and its impending assembly elections scheduled for next year.

This marks a departure from the pan-India approach being adopted elsewhere, as the ECI seeks to align the revision with ongoing legal and administrative processes in the northeastern state, including references to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

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Phase two of the SIR, described as a comprehensive voter roll update after 21 years, will cover 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and others, potentially impacting over 51 crore electors nationwide.

Unlike the initial pilot phase conducted in Bihar, this round will not require the submission of supporting documents during the enumeration period, streamlining the process for eligible voters to add, delete, or update entries in the electoral rolls.

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Kumar clarified that while Aadhaar cards are now included among acceptable documents for verification, they do not serve as proof of citizenship, underscoring the ECI’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of voter lists without delving into contentious identity issues.

The revision in Assam, however, will proceed independently, with electoral rolls set to be announced separately to accommodate the state’s distinct legal landscape, including Supreme Court-monitored citizenship verification mechanisms.

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The SIR initiative, launched to enhance the accuracy and inclusivity of India’s voter database ahead of upcoming polls, builds on the Bihar pilot where millions of entries were scrutinized. Phase two is slated to commence soon, with detailed timelines to be notified shortly, aiming to cover a vast swath of the electorate before the 2026 assembly elections in several states.

Reactions to Assam’s exclusion have been mixed. Political analyst Yogendra Yadav raised concerns on social media, posing 14 pointed questions about the decision, including potential disparities in voter verification standards across states and the implications for migrant populations.

Assam’s ruling BJP, however, has welcomed the move, viewing it as a pragmatic step to avoid disruptions in the state’s election preparations.

As India gears up for a series of high-stakes elections, the ECI’s tailored approach in Assam highlights the complexities of balancing national uniformity with regional sensitivities in the world’s largest democracy. Further details on the Assam-specific revision are expected in the coming weeks.