SIR 2.0 draft rolls out in 3 states, one UT: 3.68 cr voters deleted so far, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The second round of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has led to the deletion of 3.68 crore electors across 11 states/UTs.
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded the highest deletion rate at 21%, followed by Chhattisgarh at 13%.
• Madhya Pradesh saw nearly 42 lakh electors deleted in the draft stage.
• The Election Commission (EC) initiated the SIR on June 24 to revise electoral rolls.
• A claims and objection period is open until January 22, 2026, allowing genuine electors to re-register.

Detailed Insights:

• The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) requires all registered electors to submit enumeration forms to verify their eligibility.
• Deletions are primarily due to electors being marked as "shifted/absent," "deceased," or "enrolled at multiple places" by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
• In Kerala, 5.25% of electors were removed for being "shifted/absent," 2.33% for being deceased, and 0.49% for multiple enrollments.
• The SIR exercise began in Bihar in June, resulting in a 6% decrease in the state's electoral rolls.
• States like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have seen significant deletions, with 15% and 14.5% of electors deleted, respectively.
• The deletion percentages vary across states, potentially due to migrant workers registered in those states who were not found or did not fill out forms.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR): An Election Commission initiative to update and purify electoral rolls by verifying voter information.
• Booth Level Officer (BLO): A grassroot level election official responsible for voter registration and verification at the polling booth level.
• Electoral Roll: An official list of persons qualified to vote in an election, organized by polling booth.