Jharkhand Locks April Deadline for Special Intensive Revision of Voter Lists

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jharkhand is scheduled to begin in April 2026, with authorities setting an ambitious deadline of 100 days to complete the entire exercise, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer said on Wednesday. The announcement comes as part of nationwide preparations directed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to update voter lists ahead of future elections.

State Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar told reporters that the voter‑list overhaul will start next month and must be finalised within about three months of the official notification. The timeline reflects the poll panel’s directive for expedited revision work, contrasting with longer schedules requested by some other states for their own SIR exercises.

Officials revealed that a preparatory meeting for district election officers has been scheduled for March 11 to organise logistics, training and verification processes before the SIR launches. Pre‑revision activities will focus on rectifying existing deficiencies in the electoral database and ensuring field officers are equipped for door‑to‑door voter verification.

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According to the CEO, Jharkhand has already verified the details of nearly 73 per cent of its registered voters ahead of the SIR, with 19.43 million out of approximately 26.56 million electors having undergone initial checks. This preliminary verification is intended to speed up the upcoming revision exercise once it formally begins.

Under the SIR process, electoral registers are thoroughly reviewed to correct inaccuracies, remove names of deceased or relocated electors, and add eligible citizens who are not currently listed. The exercise typically involves booth‑level officials conducting extensive field verification and interacting directly with voters to confirm their details.

The Election Commission’s push for a tight deadline in Jharkhand aligns with its broader objective of preparing accurate and up‑to‑date voter rolls across India. While many states have extended submission timelines and adjusted schedules based on local needs, Jharkhand’s authorities have opted for a single‑phase approach with clear time‑bound goals to ensure the revision concludes swiftly.

Election experts note that completing SIR within a 100‑day window will require close coordination between state and district officials, robust public awareness campaigns, and efficient handling of document verification — all crucial to maintaining a credible electoral roll that reflects demographic changes and eligible voter participation.

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