Electoral roll revision: EC announces Phase 3 of SIR in 16 states, 3 UTs starting May 30

📌 Summary:

• Election Commission announced the schedule for Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, covering 16 states and 3 Union Territories
• Phase 3 begins May 30 in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur; staggered start dates follow through to September 15 (Tripura)
• With Phase 3, SIR covers the entire country except Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Ladakh, whose schedules will be announced later due to Census Phase-II and weather in snow-bound areas
• Over 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit 36.73 crore electors house-to-house, assisted by 3.42 lakh Booth Level Agents appointed by political parties
• Electors must submit an enumeration form with proof of their name or a relative's name in the roll from the last intensive revision (2002-2006 for Phase 3 states); no documents needed during enumeration — only those not linked to earlier rolls will later be asked for documents from a list of 12
• Final electoral rolls to be published between September 6 and December 23
• The EC's June 24, 2025 SIR order has been challenged in the Supreme Court and criticised by the Opposition as a backdoor NRC; so far 5.58 crore electors (9.55%) have been deleted across 13 states/UTs

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Election Commission's powers and functions; electoral reforms; citizenship and electoral roll integrity; Centre-State and federal coordination in election administration.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• SIR Phase 3 covers 16 states and 3 UTs; starts May 30, 2026
• Excluded for now: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh
• Aadhaar is on the list of 12 documents but valid only as proof of identity, not citizenship
• The original SIR order was issued by the EC on June 24, 2025, starting with Bihar

🔑 Key Term: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — a fresh, ground-up preparation of the electoral roll (as opposed to the routine Special Summary Revision), requiring all electors to submit enumeration forms and, if unlinked to past rolls, prove eligibility including citizenship.