India launches Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls across states

India’s Election Commission began the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on June 30, deploying Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for a door‑to‑door verification in five states – Delhi, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Jharkhand – and in the East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya. In Delhi more than 13,000 BLOs will visit households until July 29, while Karnataka’s Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar said all 5.54 crore registered electors will receive enumeration forms, even those whose records are not yet mapped. The first day in Karnataka saw 12.48 lakh forms distributed and the identification of 291 deceased and 116 permanently shifted voters. The exercise will continue until July 29, with a draft roll published on August 5 and the final roll on October 7. Opposition parties, including the DMK, AAP and Congress, have lodged a joint letter with the Chief Justice of India objecting to the SIR process, demanding greater transparency and safeguards against wrongful deletions.