The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated a comprehensive nationwide awareness campaign to counter what it describes as a concerted effort by opposition parties to spread "misinformation and confusion" regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party asserts that the drive is aimed at clarifying the objectives and process of the SIR, reassuring voters that the exercise is strictly based on official rules and transparent procedures.
The campaign comes as the Election Commission of India (ECI) prepares to roll out the second phase of the SIR across 12 states and Union Territories, a critical process for updating voter lists ahead of future elections.
Central Team to Steer Outreach
To lead the massive outreach effort, the BJP has constituted a central coordination team headed by National General Secretary Tarun Chugh. This high-powered group includes prominent leaders such as K Laxman, Alka Gurjar, OP Dhankhar, Rituraj Sinha, Anirban Ganguly, K Annamalai, and others. The team's mandate is to design and implement a data-driven outreach strategy, leveraging official inputs and ground-level feedback to shape the party's communication.
Grassroots Workshops and Mobilisation
Members of the central team are currently touring multiple states, conducting workshops and meetings with party cadres. The objective is to arm grassroots workers with factual information about the SIR process, enabling them to act as informed points of contact for the public. The BJP is running structured engagement programmes to ensure that accurate details about the revision process percolate down to the booth level.
"The party is fully prepared to respond to distorted interpretations and rumours," stated Tarun Chugh. He alleged that opposition parties are deliberately building a misleading narrative to misguide voters. BJP functionaries have been instructed to maintain constant contact with voters to explain the party's position and dispel any doubts.
The Opposition Narrative and BJP's Counter
The BJP's campaign is a direct response to the criticism leveled by opposition parties, who have raised concerns about potential voter exclusion. The ruling party alleges that this criticism is a politically motivated attempt to create unnecessary panic.
In response, the BJP has pledged to counter this narrative on all platforms using verified facts and documentary evidence. The party is mobilising its workers at every tier—from state units down to individual booth committees—in the states where the revision is underway, with the stated goal to "present the real picture" of the SIR exercise.
SIR Phase Two: The States and Timeline
The second phase of the Special Intensive Revision will cover a diverse set of 12 regions:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Kerala
Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Puducherry
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
According to the ECI's notified schedule for this phase:
October 28 - November 3: Printing and training activities.
November 4 - December 4: Enumeration phase for data collection.
December 9: Draft electoral rolls will be published.
December 9 - January 8, 2026: Period for filing claims and objections.
December 9 - January 31, 2026: Notice and hearing for verification.
February 7, 2026: Final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication.
This extensive revision exercise follows a pilot project conducted in Bihar in September, which served as a precursor to the state's upcoming Assembly elections. The current nationwide rollout marks a significant expansion of the process, setting the stage for crucial electoral battles in the future.
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