Poonam Nath

Assam Gears Up for 2026 Assembly Polls: ECI Calls for ‘Special Revision’ of Voter List

Digital Desk: Assam is about to witness a major move; a "Special Revision" of Assamese electoral rolls has been initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in anticipation of the 2026 Assembly elections. Serving as a compromise between the more comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the yearly Special Summary Revision, this revision attempts to update the voter list more thoroughly.

After the SIR was successfully implemented in the most recent two-phase Assembly elections in Bihar, the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam has set January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date for this Special Revision. According to the ECI's directive, a number of preparatory actions must be taken prior to the public release of the draft electoral roll.

"The revision of electoral rolls actually starts with draft publication," with regard to the directive. Various pre-revision activities are required to be completed well before the commencement of the revision, with the sole intention of achieving high-fidelity electoral rolls."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the initiative and pledged that the state government will cooperate fully.

The Govt of Assam welcomes the Election Commission of India’s decision to undertake a Special Revision of the electoral roll with 01.01.2026 as the qualifying date.
This will help ensure clean, updated and accurate electoral rolls for all eligible citizens.
Assam will extend…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 17, 2025

The ECI initiated SIR drives in a number of states and Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep, one month prior to the Special Revision. Elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry are scheduled for next year.