New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially launched the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026, marking the first comprehensive "deep clean" of the country's electoral rolls in over 21 years. The initiative, conducted under Article 326, aims to rectify issues caused by migration, remove deceased voters, and ensure that every eligible citizen is correctly included on the list.
As part of the drive, the ECI is urging voters to actively participate by verifying their Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) details to ensure a flawless voter list ahead of upcoming elections.
How to Verify Your EPIC Status via SMS
Citizens can easily check if their name appears on the current voter list and confirm their polling station details using the ECI's dedicated toll-free service line, 1950.
Via SMS: Send an SMS with the text
ECI <Space> <Your EPIC Number>to 1950.Example: If your Voter ID number is 12345678, simply message
ECI 12345678to 1950.
Via Phone Call: Voters can also call the toll-free Voter Helpline number 1950 (add your STD code before dialing) for direct assistance.
Online Portal: Verification can also be done by logging onto the official portals:
voters.eci.gov.inorelectoralsearch.eci.gov.in.
Key Highlights of SIR 2026
Door-to-Door Verification: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will make at least three visits to every household across designated states to distribute and collect pre-filled Enumeration Forms (EF).
Data Matching: Current voter details will be cross-referenced with the last major SIR conducted between 2002 and 2004. Voters whose data cannot be matched will receive a notice for further verification.
Claims & Objections: Draft electoral rolls for various states are scheduled to be published between July and October 2026. Following the publication, citizens will have a strict 30-day window to file any claims or objections regarding missing names or incorrect details.
Corrections and Required Documents
If a voter finds errors in their EPIC details during the verification process, they must submit Form 8 online through the Voter's Services Portal or hand it over to their designated BLO. Form 8 is used for rectifying errors, shifting residence, or requesting a replacement EPIC.
During the BLO verification visits, voters may be asked to present valid documentation from the ECI's approved list, which includes:
Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
Address Proof: Electricity/Gas bills, or a Land/House allotment certificate.
Age Proof: Birth certificate or 10th-grade marks memo.
Citizens
are encouraged to complete their verification at the earliest to ensure
their democratic right to vote remains uninterrupted. Volunteer
portals, such as epicsir.in, have also been set up to
provide citizens with free assistance regarding document checks and form
filling during the SIR 2026 drive.