Townhall Times: Delhi Gears Up for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Voter Lists, Documents Required for Verification
New Delhi, September 19, 2025 (Townhall Times Bureau): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign to ensure the accuracy of voter lists, with Delhi witnessing a particularly rigorous implementation due to the upcoming Assembly elections in February 2025. SIR involves a thorough revision of voter rolls using 2002 as the base year to cross-verify names. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi has completed the appointment of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and provided them with training. The CEO has urged residents to check their voter details and verify their inclusion in the list. The campaign must be completed by October 26, 2025.In Delhi, the SIR process has kicked off with house-to-house (H2H) surveys. BLOs are visiting households to collect enumeration forms and verify documents.
The Delhi CEO has uploaded the 2002 voter list on social media and mapped current Assembly constituencies to those from 2002, enabling residents to check if their or their parents’ names appear in the old list. If a name is present in both the 2002 and 2025 lists, only the enumeration form and an extract of the 2002 list are required. However, if the name is absent from the 2002 list, identity proofs like an Aadhaar card or other valid IDs must be submitted. This step was introduced following complaints during the SIR in Bihar, where opposition parties alleged wrongful deletion of names.
Delhi currently has approximately 1.55 crore voters—83.4 lakh males and 71.74 lakh females. The SIR aims to remove bogus voters and add new ones. The ECI emphasizes that this is a constitutional duty to ensure electoral integrity. However, opposition parties, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, have called it a conspiracy, alleging voter fraud in collusion with the BJP, similar to claims made during the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra elections. The Supreme Court upheld the SIR process in Bihar, but Delhi may face legal challenges as well.The SIR requires careful preparation of documents, as they must be submitted during BLOs’ H2H visits. The key documents include:
- Enumeration Form (Form 4): Mandatory for all voters, available online or offline.
- 2002 Voter List Extract: Sufficient if the name appears in the 2002 list.
- Identity Proof: If the name is not in the 2002 list—Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, driving license, or ration card.
- Residence Proof: Electricity bill, water bill, or rental agreement.
- Date of Birth Proof: Matriculation certificate or birth certificate, especially for young voters.
- Affidavit: Required in case of disputes over name addition or deletion.
- Category Certificate: For SC/ST/OBC, if applicable.
Documents must be in the correct format, or names may be removed from the list. Special assistance camps will be organized for women and senior citizens. The Delhi CEO has launched a mobile app and helpline (1950) for grievance redressal.The first phase of BLO training is complete, with H2H surveys set to begin by late September. The ECI has clarified that pre-registered voters need not submit new documents if their names are in the 2002 list. New voters (18-19 years) must fill Form 6. Delhi’s 272 Assembly constituencies have deployed BLOs, and IT tools are being used for real-time monitoring.Opposition parties claim the SIR may disenfranchise lakhs of voters, especially from marginalized and minority communities.
However, the ECI insists the process is transparent. In Bihar, 10 lakh names were removed post-SIR, but courts upheld the process. A similar pattern is expected in Delhi. Experts believe the SIR will strengthen voter lists but may escalate political tensions.Delhi residents are urged to check their details on ceodelhi.gov.in and keep documents ready. The SIR will not only empower voters but also fortify the foundation of democracy. For more details, contact the ECI
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