Election Commission Announces Nationwide SIR Phase Two, Final Voter Rolls To Be Out February 2026

National News:  The Election Commission of India has rolled out phase two of the Special Intensive Revision to clean and update the voter rolls across multiple states. This process ensures that every eligible voter is included while duplicate or inaccurate entries are removed. With the Lok Sabha and state elections ahead, maintaining accurate records becomes critical. CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized transparency and said the exercise will help create a reliable voter database for 2026 and beyond.

Which States Are Covered?

The second phase includes 12 states and union territories: Andaman & Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. In these regions, Booth Level Officers will visit homes to verify details. This door-to-door verification will give citizens an opportunity to confirm or correct their voter records. The goal is to ensure full inclusion and accuracy before the elections.

What Are The Key Dates?

The timeline for phase two has been announced. Printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, 2025. House-to-house verification will run from November 4 to December 4, 2025. The draft rolls will be published on December 9, 2025. Citizens can raise claims and objections between December 9, 2025, and January 8, 2026. Hearings and verification will continue until January 31, 2026, and the final electoral rolls will be out on February 7, 2026.

Are Documents Required For Verification?

CEC Gyanesh Kumar clarified that no documents will be demanded during the door-to-door verification phase. However, the commission released a list of indicative documents for survey purposes. These documents can help establish identity and eligibility. The list is not exhaustive, but it provides guidelines for officials and citizens to ensure smooth completion of the revision process.

Which Documents Are Indicative?

The Election Commission has listed several valid documents. These include identity cards issued to government employees or pensioners, certificates issued by banks or LIC before July 1, 1987, birth certificates, passports, matriculation certificates, residence proofs, forest rights certificates, caste certificates, NRC records, family registers, and government land or house allotment papers. Aadhaar will also be valid, following commission directions issued in September 2025.

What Was Learned From Bihar?

Phase one of SIR took place in Bihar, where more than 90,000 polling stations were covered. The process concluded smoothly without major complaints. Over 7.5 crore voters participated actively, setting a benchmark for other states. According to the CEC, Bihar’s experience shows that large-scale voter roll revision can succeed with public cooperation and administrative efficiency. This success now paves the way for phase two across more regions.

What Happens Next?

Once the final voter rolls are published on February 7, 2026, these lists will be used for all upcoming elections. Citizens who fail to verify their details or raise objections within the given timeframe may find their names missing later. The Election Commission has urged all eligible voters to cooperate during the verification phase to avoid exclusion. This exercise is designed to strengthen democracy by ensuring that every valid vote counts.