Punjab electoral rolls 2026: Voter count rises to 2.01 crore after SIR
Synopsis
Punjab's voter base has crossed 2 crore for the first time following the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, rising 3.64% to 2.01 crore. With 879 new polling stations added and a youth-focused SVEEP campaign backing the drive, the state's election machinery has set a fresh baseline ahead of the next assembly election cycle.
Key Takeaways
Punjab's total electorate rose from 1.93 crore to 2.01 crore — a net increase of 3.64% — after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The final roll records 1,03,76,026 male, 97,24,195 female, and 506 third-gender voters.
Polling stations increased from 24,453 to 25,332 to improve voter accessibility across all districts.
SIR 2026 was symbolically launched on 23 June with a human chain of over 2,000 youth ; SVEEP outreach used SMS, radio jingles, and e-rickshaw audio messages.
Eligible citizens not yet on the final roll can apply via the ECINET App or through their BLO using Form 6 .
Punjab's voter base has expanded to 2.01 crore following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra announced on Monday, 12 October 2026. The net increase of 3.64 per cent — up from 1.93 crore — reflects both a surge in new enrolments and a parallel rationalisation of polling infrastructure across the state.
Final Roll Breakdown
The final electoral roll records 2,01,00,727 total electors in Punjab. Of these, 1,03,76,026 are men, 97,24,195 are women, and 506 are third-gender voters. The final roll of the Special Summary Revision for service voters, with 1 October as the qualifying date, was also published on Monday.
Polling Station Expansion
To improve voter accessibility, polling station rationalisation was carried out across all districts in Punjab. The total number of polling stations was raised from 24,453 to 25,332 — an addition of 879 booths. According to Mitra, the exercise was completed in a smooth, transparent, and time-bound manner, in line with the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
SVEEP Outreach and Voter Awareness Drive
A month-long SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) campaign was run alongside the revision drive, deploying multichannel outreach methods. Highlights included the symbolic launch of SIR 2026 on 23 June, where over 2,000 youth formed a human chain to mark the exercise, SMS alerts on key dates, radio jingles, and audio messages broadcast through e-rickshaws. Block-level officers (BLOs) conducted field announcements in local areas. Electoral Literacy Clubs engaged citizens through poster-making, debates, seminars, and rangoli competitions, while IEC material was displayed at banks. Social media campaigns featured SVEEP icons and eminent personalities to amplify reach.
Youth and College Enrolment Push
Special registration camps were held in colleges and schools across Punjab to bring first-time and young voters onto the rolls. This focus on youth enrolment is consistent with the ECI's broader nationwide effort to close the gap between eligible and registered young voters — a demographic that has historically shown lower enrolment rates relative to its population share.
What Eligible Voters Should Do Now
Chief Electoral Officer Mitra urged eligible citizens who could not be included in the final roll — or those seeking fresh enrolment — to apply online through the ECINET App or offline through their respective BLO by submitting Form 6. The completion of the SIR, she noted, reflected coordinated efforts by the state's election machinery, cooperation from electors, and active participation of all stakeholders. With Punjab's assembly elections expected in the near future, this updated roll will serve as the baseline voter list for electoral purposes going forward.
Point of View
But the more significant number is the 879 new polling stations — a direct response to complaints of inaccessible booths in rural and border districts. What this revision does not reveal is the rejection or deletion rate: how many names were struck off, and whether purging kept pace with additions. As Punjab heads toward its next electoral cycle, the quality of the roll matters as much as its size — an inflated list with ghost entries is as problematic as an under-inclusive one. The ECI would strengthen public confidence by publishing ward-level addition and deletion data alongside headline enrolment figures.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Punjab?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic exercise conducted under Election Commission of India guidelines to update, correct, and expand the electoral roll. In Punjab's 2026 SIR, the voter base was revised from 1.93 crore to 2.01 crore, a net increase of 3.64%.
How many voters are now registered in Punjab after the 2026 SIR?
Punjab now has 2,01,00,727 registered voters, comprising 1,03,76,026 men, 97,24,195 women, and 506 third-gender electors, as per the final roll published on 12 October 2026.
Why were new polling stations added in Punjab?
Polling station rationalisation was carried out to improve voter accessibility across all districts. The number of booths was increased from 24,453 to 25,332, adding 879 new polling stations statewide.
How can eligible voters in Punjab get enrolled if they missed the SIR?
Eligible voters who were not included in the final roll can apply online through the ECINET App or submit Form 6 offline through their local Block Level Officer (BLO). The window remains open after the final roll's publication.
What voter awareness activities were carried out alongside SIR 2026 in Punjab?
A month-long SVEEP campaign deployed SMS alerts, radio jingles, e-rickshaw audio messages, and BLO field announcements. Electoral Literacy Clubs ran poster-making, debates, and rangoli contests, while special enrolment camps were held in colleges and schools across Punjab.
