Sat Dec 13 15:49:14 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is taking significant steps to ensure the accuracy of voter lists ahead of the final electoral rolls publication in February 2026. They’ve appointed Special Roll Observers (SROs) in eight states with large voter bases and are sharing lists of absent, shifted, dead, or duplicate (ASD) voters with political parties at the booth level. This intensive revision process aims to rectify errors before the draft electoral rolls are published later this month. The ASD lists will also be publicly available online to enhance transparency.
News Article:
Election Commission Intensifies Efforts for Error-Free Voter Rolls
New Delhi, December 13, 2025 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) is ramping up efforts to ensure accurate and transparent electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 elections. The Commission has appointed Special Roll Observers (SROs) to oversee the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in eight key states: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.
These SROs will be present in their assigned states for two days a week until the final electoral rolls are published in February 2026. They will engage with state and district-level political party leaders, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), and District Election Officers (DEOs) to ensure a smooth and participatory process.
In addition to the SROs, the ECI is implementing measures to identify and rectify inaccuracies in voter lists. Nearly five lakh booth-level officers (BLO) are currently sharing lists of absent, shifted, dead, or duplicate (ASD) voters with over 12 lakh booth-level agents (BLAs) of political parties. This collaboration allows for the verification of voter status and correction of errors before the publication of draft electoral rolls.
“This process is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the voter lists,” stated a senior ECI official. “By sharing ASD lists with political parties at the booth level, we aim to identify and rectify errors before the draft electoral rolls are published.”
To further enhance transparency, the ASD lists will also be made available to the public on the websites of the respective District Election Officers/District Magistrates (district-wise) as well as on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). These lists will be searchable by EPIC number.
Draft electoral rolls for the 12 States and Union Territories undergoing the SIR are scheduled for publication between December 16 and December 31. The ECI’s proactive measures underscore its commitment to delivering free, fair, and accurate elections.