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NEW DELHI: Enumeration for Phase II of the SIR exercise spanning a dozen states and UTs commenced Tuesday, with around 5.3 lakh booth level officers (BLOs) undertaking the first round of house-to-house visits to distribute enumeration forms to electors.The enumeration period for SIR in nine states – Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, MP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal – and three UTs (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Puducherry) will last a month, until Dec 4, 2025. Every elector who figured in the electoral roll as of Oct 27, 2025, will be handed a unique EF with partially pre-filled fields.Given the lack of finality on its NRC exercise, Assam has been left out of Phase II of SIR and could see a mere special summary revision ahead of assembly polls in state next year.”Distribution of EFs has already begun in all 12 states/UTs and 100% of EFs have been printed,” EC said Tuesday.Unlike Phase I of SIR completed in Bihar, no documents will be collected from electors at the enumeration stage. Only electors who fail to furnish details linking them to the electoral roll from the last SIR undertaken in 2003/03/04, will be served a notice by the electoral registration officer after the draft electoral rolls are published on Dec 9. Such an elector will need to furnish one of the 11 documents listed by EC, or an alternative document, to prove their eligibility for enrolment. Aadhaar will be accepted only as proof of identity.Over 5.3 lakh BLOs, 7.6 lakh booth level agents appointed by political parties, 10,448 EROs/assistant EROs and 321 district election officers will come together to implement the SIR spanning 321 districts and 1,843 assembly constituencies. There are dissenting voices against the SIR exercise in opposition-governed West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, but the poll panel has confidence in Constitutional norms that make it obligatory for state govts to place their officials on deputation to the commission and maintain law and order for a smooth roll revision.
