| SIR exercise likely in J&K, Ladakh from May | | |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 18: Like other parts of the country, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is likely to be undertaken in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from May this year, with preparatory work already underway in several areas.
Official sources said Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have begun door-to-door visits across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir as part of the pre-SIR exercise. On the directions of higher authorities, BLOs are replacing blurred and black-and-white photographs in the electoral database with clear, coloured images to ensure accurate voter identification and to rectify discrepancies in voter records.
“The process of capturing fresh photographs and correcting defects in the rolls is in progress and is expected to be completed shortly. This is a preparatory step ahead of the formal notification of the Special Intensive Revision,” sources said.
They added that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is expected to notify the SIR for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in April or May, after completing the exercise in 12 States and Union Territories where it was announced earlier.
Notably, the annual Special Summary Revision (SSR), usually conducted between September and December with the final electoral rolls published in January, was not carried out in Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 due to the proposed SIR. Only preliminary activities were undertaken during that period.
Jammu and Kashmir currently has around nine million registered voters, with five Lok Sabha constituencies and a 90-member Legislative Assembly, while Ladakh has about two lakh electors and one Lok Sabha seat.
Sources said the SIR assumes added significance in Jammu and Kashmir amid concerns over alleged illegal inclusions in the electoral rolls. “There are apprehensions about the enrolment of illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas, Bangladeshis and others, who may have obtained voter identity documents through manipulation of records,” they said.
Meanwhile, elections to Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies, Block Development Councils and District Development Councils are due in Jammu and Kashmir, though no schedule has been announced so far. Officials indicated that the SIR timeline could be extended if local body elections are notified during April–May. |
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