Special Intensive Revision (SIR) – Phase III: Enumeration Begins in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur

📌 Summary:

• Election Commission of India ordered Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in 16 States and 3 UTs on 14 May 2026; powers invoked under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950

• Phase III Enumeration commenced on 30 May 2026 for 4 states: Odisha (3.34 crore electors, 38,123 BLOs, 8,391 BLAs), Mizoram (8.75 lakh electors, 1,353 BLOs, 3,430 BLAs), Sikkim (4.71 lakh electors, 572 BLOs, 681 BLAs), Manipur (20.92 lakh electors, 2,996 BLOs, 5,003 BLAs)

• Core objective of SIR: "No eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included" in the Electoral Roll

• Eligibility: Indian citizen, not less than 18 years on the qualifying date, not otherwise disqualified under any law

• Enumeration process: BLOs conduct house-to-house visits; distribute/collect Enumeration Forms; submission via BLO or online; deadline 28 June 2026 for inclusion in Draft Electoral Rolls

• BLOs to carry ≥30 blank Form 6 + blank Declaration Forms during door-to-door visits to enrol new electors on the spot

• Political-party involvement: Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of recognised parties allowed to collect up to 50 forms/day from the public and hand them to BLOs before Draft Publication; recognised national/state parties may appoint additional BLAs

• Late applicants: those who miss 28 June deadline may apply via Form 6 + Declaration Form during the Claims & Objections period

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Election Commission's constitutional role; Article 324 superintendence; RPA 1950 (preparation of electoral rolls); free and fair elections; citizen participation; electoral integrity.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Article 324: vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission
• RPA 1950 = preparation of electoral rolls; RPA 1951 = conduct of elections
• Form 6: application for inclusion of name in the electoral roll
• SIR Phase I & II already covered larger states (e.g., Bihar); Phase III adds Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur from 30 May 2026
• BLO: government employee maintaining electoral rolls at booth level; BLA: appointed by recognised political parties

🔑 Key Term: Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — ECI's comprehensive house-to-house revision of electoral rolls under RPA 1950, intended to ensure accurate inclusion of citizens and exclusion of ineligible names.