Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told reporters that the Bihar SIR  which saw 7.5 crore electors participate — concluded with zero appeals against the final rolls, and the EC will replicate the field methodology across the new list of States and UTs. The Commission said detailed operational instructions have been issued to Chief Electoral Officers to finalise preparations ahead of enumeration and field visits.

Which states and timeline

The EC listed 12 states and UTs for Phase-2. They include West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar. The poll body said voter lists in the selected areas will be frozen as per schedule and training for polling officials will begin immediately.

As per the EC’s timeline, enumeration officials Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will make at least three household visits per address during the enumeration phase. Electors can also submit the Enumeration Form (EF) online, a provision the Commission emphasised for urban and mobile populations.

How SIR will be carried out

The SIR is a door-to-door verification and registration drive designed to remove duplicate, bogus and ineligible entries and to include newly eligible voters. The EC reiterated that the enumeration form (EF) is the primary document collected during enumeration; no other documents will be required at the door.

Key operational points the EC highlighted include: identification and deletion of deceased electors, removal of duplicates, handling requests for inclusion through Form-6, and targeted outreach for migrants and those living in multi-storey complexes. District and state election officials will conduct checks and hearings for claims and objections before the final roll is published.

Legal and political context

The nationwide SIR programme has been subject to debate and judicial scrutiny in recent months. The EC told the Supreme Court earlier that Aadhaar may be accepted as an identity document for the exercise under the Aadhaar Act’s norms. Political parties have reacted variably: some have welcomed the attempt to clean up rolls while others have voiced concerns about possible exclusions and demanded safeguards and transparency.

The EC said it will brief political parties and stakeholders at the district and state level, and encouraged monitoring by local representatives to ensure accountability. Officials also underlined the right to appeal via mechanisms established in the electoral law for those aggrieved by deletions or non-inclusions.

What voters should know

Households should expect visits from their Booth Level Officer (BLO). Electors who wish to register or update details can fill Form-6 or submit the Enumeration Form online. The EC has directed officers to assist those who cannot access digital options and to record accurate contact details for each polling station.

The Commission urged citizens to cooperate with the enumeration process, verify entries in the draft rolls when published, and use the prescribed appeals process if they find discrepancies. The EC also advised local offices to ensure special outreach to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and residents of institutional and vertical housing units.