Election Commission Launches Phase‑3 Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim & Manipur

Overview The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) entered its enumeration phase on 30 May 2026 in four states – Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur. This is part of Phase 3 of the SIR programme that began on 14 May 2026 across 16 states and three Union Territories. Key Developments Booth Level Officers ( BLOs ) start house‑to‑house visits to distribute, collect and verify enumeration forms. Electors may submit filled forms either through BLOs or via the online portal. Forms received by Electoral Registration Officers ( EROs ) on or before 28 June 2026 will be incorporated into the draft electoral rolls . Voters missing the deadline can still apply as new voters using Form 6 together with the required declaration during the claims‑and‑objections period. Important Facts Total electorate in the four states exceeds 3.67 crore voters. Odisha alone has over 3.34 crore electors, supported by 38,123 BLOs and 8,391 Booth Level Assistants (BLAs) . Mizoram: 8.75 lakh electors. Sikkim: 4.71 lakh electors. Manipur: 20.92 lakh electors. UPSC Relevance The exercise underscores the role of the Election Commission of India in safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process. Accurate electoral rolls are essential for free and fair elections, a core topic in GS 2 (Polity) and GS 1 (Governance). The SIR also illustrates how administrative machinery (BLOs, EROs) operationalises constitutional provisions on universal adult franchise (Article 326). Understanding these mechanisms helps aspirants answer questions on electoral reforms, voter registration, and the challenges of inclusive democracy. Way Forward The Commission urges all eligible citizens to cooperate with BLOs during the enumeration drive. Continuous monitoring, verification of the draft rolls, and timely resolution of claims will ensure that the final electoral list is both comprehensive and free of ineligible entries. The next steps include finalising the draft rolls, publishing them for public scrutiny, and incorporating approved changes before the next general or state elections.