Kerala’s SIR progress lags, EC moves forward across other states

New Delhi: A week after the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began, around 73 per cent of voters in 12 states and Union Territories have received their enumeration forms, the Election Commission of India (ECI) reported on Wednesday.

A total of 37,05,68,109 forms have been distributed across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. The total electorate in these regions as of 27 October 2025 stands at 50,99,72,687.

The house-to-house enumeration process will continue from November to 4 December 4, followed by the publication of draft electoral rolls on December 9. Voters can file claims and objections between December 9 and January 8, with notices, hearings, and verifications conducted until January 31. The final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026.

Most of the states involved had conducted their last SIR between 2002 and 2004.

Leading states and the Union territories

Lakshadweep tops the list, having covered all but one voter, 57,812 of 57,813 voters, while Goa is a close second with 99.99 per cent coverage. Puducherry has covered 93.04 per cent, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands 89.22 per cent.

Despite opposition and protests against the exercise, West Bengal has distributed forms to 88.8 per cent of voters, while Tamil Nadu has achieved 78.09 per cent coverage.

Low-coverage states

Kerala lags behind, with only 49.55 per cent of voters reached. The state had requested a postponement of SIR due to the upcoming local body elections, and ongoing preparations have slowed distribution. Other states with lower coverage include Madhya Pradesh (53.83 per cent), Chhattisgarh (63.75 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (69.95 per cent).

In Gujarat, 88.08 per cent of forms have been distributed, while Rajasthan has reached 70.94 per cent.

Status of enumeration forms

The ECI stated that printing of forms has been completed in all states except Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Printing progress stands at 95.54 per cent in Madhya Pradesh, 99.58 per cent in Rajasthan, 99.75 per cent in West Bengal, and 99.99 per cent in Uttar Pradesh.

During the first phase of SIR in Bihar, the exercise led to the deletion of over 68 lakh names from the electoral rolls, reflecting the ECI’s effort to update and verify voter data ahead of upcoming elections.