Union Minister Chirag Paswan welcomes second phase of SIR, says "necessary for robust democracy"

Patna (Bihar) [India], October 28 (ANI): Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday welcomed the Election Commission's decision to conduct the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, saying that it is "necessary for a robust democracy."
He added that conducting SIR is essential to ensure that there is no tampering or irregularity of any kind in the voter list.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Chirag Paswan said, "We have always said that SIR should be conducted. There should be SIR so that it can be ensured that there has been no tampering of any kind in the voter list... When SIR was conducted in Bihar, we had welcomed it at that time as well... This is very necessary for a robust democracy..."
A day earlier, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said the exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 202, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.
"The second phase of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is about to be carried out in 12 States and UTs," the CEC said. (ANI)