The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 2 October 2026 directed all states and union territories where the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has been completed to launch a targeted drive to identify and enrol eligible voters who may have been missed. The Commission's directive, addressed to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and UTs, specifically focuses on left-out electors, first-time voters, and young voters.

Background and Basis for the Directive

The direction follows a communication dated 29 September and a meeting convened with all CEOs on 1 October. During the enumeration phase of the SIR exercise, each Booth Level Officer (BLO) had prepared a list classifying voters as Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate (ASDD), along with probable reasons for their non-inclusion. These lists were displayed at Panchayat Bhawans and Urban Local Body offices, shared with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and political parties, and uploaded to CEO websites.

Following this, a draft electoral roll was published and shared with political parties before the final roll was issued after Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) settled claims and objections. The ECI noted that the final roll reflects deletions made during enumeration as well as additions and deletions post-draft publication — meaning the pre-SIR roll and the current roll may differ significantly for some booths.

How the Special Drive Will Work

BLOs have been directed to compare the current electoral roll with the pre-SIR roll and identify electors whose names appeared earlier but are now missing. They will then undertake house-to-house visits to ascertain the status of each such elector and facilitate enrolment through Form 6 wherever eligibility is confirmed.

The Commission has set a pace of at least 20–25 electors per week per BLO, with the aim of completing the exercise in approximately one month. BLOs will record the present status of each identified elector and flag those for whom Form 6 has been submitted. Lists, filled-in applications, and field verification reports will be submitted to the concerned EROs, who will act under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Outreach for Marginalised and First-Time Voters

The ECI has directed authorities to organise Booth Level Camps for enrolment applications, with special camps earmarked for residents of night shelters, labour colonies, and homeless or marginalised persons. During house-to-house visits, BLOs will also facilitate enrolment of any eligible first-time or young voters encountered.

Awareness and mobilisation activities have been mandated through educational institutions, local outreach programmes, SVEEP activities, regular press briefings, and other platforms. The goal, the Commission said, is to ensure every eligible citizen is aware of the opportunity to register.

Monitoring and Political Party Involvement

Progress will be reviewed regularly at the levels of the CEO, District Election Officer (DEO), and ERO. At the conclusion of the drive, booth-wise lists will be shared with representatives of recognised political parties, giving them an additional opportunity to assist in identifying missed electors.

'The objective of the special drive is to identify and facilitate such electors,' the Commission stated. The ECI reiterated that voter enrolment is a continuous process and that individuals not yet enrolled — or whose names have been deleted — can apply for enrolment at any time. The drive is expected to conclude within a month of its launch, setting the stage for a more complete electoral roll ahead of future elections.