The mapping exercise is related to the verification of citizenship under the Constitution, says CEC Gyanesh Kumar

A special intensive review (SIR) of electoral rolls is underway in the state. | Photo credit: File photo

The Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Review of Electoral Rolls (SIR) is basically a citizenship verification mandated by the Constitution and election laws, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Friday (July 17).

He argued that the commission only identified voters who were absent, shifted, dead, duplicate or otherwise ineligible.

Addressing more than 380 media professionals from states and union territories at the Election Commission of India’s national media conference, Mr Kumar said the mapping was based directly on Article 326 of the Constitution, which restricts the right to vote to Indian citizens aged 18 or over who ordinarily reside in a constituency.

“Mapping is about citizenship,” Mr Kumar said. “Section 326 sets out three conditions for voting – citizenship, age and habitual residence. The Commission must ensure that the electoral rolls comply with these constitutional requirements.”

He rejected allegations that the special intensive review was aimed at wiping out eligible voters, saying the exercise was only aimed at removing the names of voters who were absent, shifted, died, duplicated or permanently migrated abroad. “The aim is to remove only ASDTF – absent, shifted, dead, duplicate and transferred/overseas voters. All others remain on the list,” he said.

Explaining the process, Mr. Kumar said voters whose names appeared on the electoral rolls in 2002, 2003 or 2004 would generally not need to submit new documents as their inclusion ensures continuity. For those born after 1 July 1987, parents’ names on earlier electoral rolls could help establish eligibility under the Citizenship Act 1955, reducing the need for additional documentation.

Describing elections in India as a rule-bound exercise, the CEC said that every stage of the electoral process is governed by the Constitution, the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951 and the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

“Nothing goes beyond the Constitution, election laws and commission guidelines,” he said, terming it as a guiding principle for every election officer.

Mr Kumar described India’s electoral roll of nearly 95 million voters as a “living document” that is constantly changing, with nearly 8% of records being updated annually through additions, deletions and corrections. More than 12 million Booth Level Workers (BLOs) and more than 15 million Booth Level Workers (BLAs) appointed by recognized political parties are involved in preparing and verifying the lists, making it a “simultaneous audit” system, he said.

Published – 17 July 2026 22:30 IST