Election Commission Announces Third Phase of Special Intensive Revision
The Election Commission of India is gearing up to initiate the third round of its Special Intensive Revision process, with plans to commence in April 2026. This move follows the successful completion of earlier phases aimed at updating and refining the electoral rolls across the nation.
Phases of Revision: A Recap
In the initial phase, the focus was exclusively on Bihar, where the commission undertook comprehensive efforts to ensure accuracy in voter lists. The second phase, announced on October 27, 2025, expanded its scope to cover a dozen states and Union territories, marking a significant step in the nationwide electoral preparation.
Current Developments and Future Plans
On Thursday, the Election Commission dispatched official communications to the chief electoral officers of the remaining 22 states and Union territories, including Delhi. In these letters, the commission outlined that the Special Intensive Revision process is expected to start from April 2026 and urged officials to complete all preparatory work at the earliest opportunity.
Interestingly, prior to the announcement of Phase 2, the commission had similarly contacted CEOs of all states and Union territories except Bihar. However, only 12 were included in that phase, indicating that not all of the 22 pending jurisdictions may be part of Phase 3. This is noteworthy because the electorate in these pending areas totals approximately 39 crore, compared to the 60 crore already covered in the previous phases.
States and Union Territories in Focus
The communication from the Election Commission specifically mentions several key regions. Among them are Manipur and Uttarakhand, where the terms of the current legislative assemblies are set to expire in March 2027. The full list includes:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
- Jammu and Kashmir
- Jharkhand
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- Meghalaya
- Mizoram
- Nagaland
- Odisha
- Sikkim
- Tripura
- Telangana
Additionally, the Union territories of Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Ladakh, and Delhi are also part of this group.
Timeline and Potential Extensions
Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision is projected to continue until June or early July 2026, with the possibility of extensions if necessary. This timeline is particularly significant as it will coincide with the houselisting stage of Census 2027.
Overlap with Census 2027
Census 2027 is scheduled to conduct its houselisting over a 45-day period between April 1 and September 30, 2026, with dates individually notified by each state and Union territory. This overlap presents logistical challenges for some regions.
For instance, states like Delhi, Haryana, and Odisha, which have already announced their houselisting timelines, may need to revise these schedules or request the Election Commission for inclusion in a later phase of the Special Intensive Revision. Conversely, other states and Union territories that have not yet set houselisting dates might opt to schedule the first phase of the census after June-July or seek a postponement of the revision process.
Strategic Implications
This coordinated effort underscores the Election Commission's commitment to maintaining accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls, which are crucial for the democratic process. The careful planning around Census 2027 highlights the need for seamless coordination between different governmental bodies to avoid conflicts and ensure efficient execution.
As the nation prepares for these significant administrative exercises, stakeholders will be closely monitoring developments to ensure that both the electoral revision and census activities proceed smoothly without disrupting public services or voter engagement.
