10 crore enumeration forms digitised

More than two weeks after the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began in nine states and three Union Territories, only 10 crore enumeration forms had been digitised as of November 20. Among the most laggard states in terms of digitisation are the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, where only 6.1 per cent, 20.6 per cent and 27 per cent of forms respectively have been uploaded so far.

Among Opposition-ruled states, Left-governed Kerala is the slowest, with only 3.39 per cent of forms digitised. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, both strongly opposing the SIR exercise, are also trailing, having digitised only 20.5 per cent and 21.9 per cent of forms respectively.

Meanwhile, nearly 99 per cent of electors (over 50.40 crore) had received enumeration forms under the ongoing exercise by November 20.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urging him to halt the exercise, citing the stress on Booth Level Officers.

The SIR is being conducted in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Of these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. In Assam, where Assembly elections are also scheduled for 2026, the EC announced a ‘special revision’ of electoral rolls on November 17, with the SIR commencing there on November 18.