Why Assam Excluded From SIR, Election Commission Cites Citizenship Law And Supreme Court Oversight

National News: When the Election Commission announced the second phase of SIR, many questioned why Assam’s name was missing. The CEC clarified that Assam has a different situation compared to other states. Citizenship in Assam is governed by special provisions under Indian law, and the ongoing NRC process is being directly supervised by the Supreme Court. Hence, the nationwide SIR order dated June 24 does not apply there.

Which States Are Covered Now?

The new SIR phase will be conducted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. In these regions, Booth Level Officers will verify voter details door-to-door and update the rolls. This will ensure a cleaner and more accurate voter list ahead of upcoming elections.

What Is The Citizenship Law Angle?

The CEC explained that in Assam, voter list revision is linked to the citizenship verification process. Since the NRC and citizenship scrutiny are still underway under the Supreme Court’s supervision, the state cannot be included in the nationwide SIR drive. Instead, Assam will have separate revision orders later, tailored to its unique legal requirements.

How Did Bihar Set An Example?

Earlier, the first phase of SIR was carried out in Bihar. Over 90,000 polling stations were included, and the process was completed without disputes. The participation of 7.5 crore voters was hailed as remarkable. According to Gyanesh Kumar, Bihar has set a benchmark for other states by demonstrating smooth execution and public cooperation in voter list revision.

What Is The SIR Timeline?

The schedule for this phase begins with printing and training from October 28 to November 3, 2025. From November 4 to December 4, BLOs will conduct house-to-house verification. On December 9, 2025, the draft voter roll will be published, allowing citizens to check their names and details.

When Can Objections Be Raised?

From December 9, 2025, until January 8, 2026, voters will have the opportunity to file claims and objections. People can report missing names, duplicate entries, or incorrect details. These claims will be collected by BLOs and election officers for review, ensuring transparency in the entire process.

When Will Final List Be Published?

Between December 9, 2025, and January 31, 2026, all claims and objections will undergo hearings and verification. Once the review is completed, the final voter list will be published on February 7, 2026. This final roll will reflect only the verified and corrected names, ensuring accuracy before the elections.