The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls begins today in West Bengal, with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) starting door-to-door visits to verify voter details ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
Kolkata: The much-anticipated and politically charged Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls begins in West Bengal today. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will begin house-to-house visits to verify and update voter information, a crucial step ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
How to identify BLOs and their role
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Each BLO will carry an official identity card with a QR code that can be scanned to verify their credentials through the Election Commission’s website. Enumeration forms provided by BLOs will also contain the officer’s name and phone number for verification. Given the politically sensitive nature of the exercise, BLOs may be accompanied by Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties.
When will BLOs visit and what if you’re not home?
Residents will be notified in advance of a BLO visit. If unavailable during the first visit, BLOs will return at least three times to ensure no eligible voter is left out.
What documents to keep ready
Voters must provide their current Voter ID (EPIC), Aadhaar card, two passport-sized photos, and, if available, references from the 2002 electoral roll. Copies of documents are not required to be submitted, but details must match the records precisely.
If a voter’s name, or those of their parents or grandparents, does not appear in the 2002 list, the voter will later need to submit one of 11 citizenship-related documents approved by the Election Commission.
Filling out the enumeration form
The form is a single-page document divided into two main parts — voter details at the top, and two boxes below: one for voters listed in 2002, and another for those whose family names appeared in that roll. The exact spelling and relationship details from the 2002 list must be retained, even if previously corrected.
Submitting forms and timeline
BLOs will collect the completed forms. The enumeration will continue until December 4, with draft rolls published on December 9. Citizens can file claims or objections between December 9 and January 8. Hearings and verifications will follow through January, and the final electoral rolls are set to be published on February 7, 2026.
Impact on citizenship
Officials clarified that the SIR exercise does not determine citizenship status. It is purely intended to verify voter eligibility and ensure accurate electoral rolls.
The SIR exercise is being conducted simultaneously in nine states and three union territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, where assembly elections are due early next year. In West Bengal, the politically charged atmosphere has made the verification drive particularly sensitive, as both ruling and opposition parties are closely monitoring how voter data is being handled.
The Election Commission has stated that the process will ensure transparency, with QR-coded identification for BLOs and strict verification protocols. All enumeration forms will carry both voter and officer signatures to maintain accountability.
By February 2026, West Bengal will have a freshly verified voter list, forming the foundation for the next assembly elections.
Published: 04 Nov 2025, 09:42 am IST
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