Srinagar, February 20 — The Election Commission of India is expected to begin the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir from April 2026, officials said.
In a communication to the Chief Electoral Officers of 17 States and six Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Commission has asked that all preparatory work for the exercise be completed without delay.
“Since the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the above States/UTs is expected to start from April, 2026, you are requested to complete preparatory work related to SIR at the earliest,” the ECI said in its letter.
The poll body had on June 24, 2025, ordered that a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls be undertaken in several States and Union Territories. Subsequently, on October 27, 2025, the Commission announced the commencement of the SIR exercise in 12 States and UTs, where the process is currently underway.
The revision exercise was first carried out in Bihar, a move that drew criticism from opposition parties. The SIR has also become a subject of legal and political contestation, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenging the exercise before the Supreme Court of India.
The SIR exercise involves a comprehensive verification of electoral rolls to update entries, remove ineligible names and ensure accuracy ahead of future elections.