Preparations have commenced in Delhi for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Wednesday. The date for the exercise is yet to be announced.

The SIR process will involve distributing duplicate enumeration forms to residents for verification. According to the office of the CEO, those whose names appear in the 2002 rolls, when the last SIR was done in Delhi, and the current rolls must submit the form along with the 2002 extract. In cases where the name of an elector does not appear in the 2002 list but the names of her parents do, the voter will have to submit an identity proof, along with the enumeration form and an extract of the 2002 voter list showing parents' names, it added.

The groundwork has begun as part of the Election Commission's nationwide plan to revise voter rolls, said the Delhi CEO.

An election official said, "Our main objective is to include all eligible voters, and verify and remove illegal immigrants on the list." However, there was no mention of 'illegal immigrants' in the official statement. While a formal notification on the schedule is awaited, sources suggest the process could begin in October or by January next year. "We are awaiting directions from the EC. The process may start in October," said another official.

BLOs appointed

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been appointed across all constituencies, with special emphasis on appointing them from the localities they will serve. "We are training officers and rationalising polling stations so that everything is in place whenever the exercise begins," the second official said, adding that training for Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers was held on September 15.

Twelve documents approved for SIR in Bihar will also be accepted in Delhi. Additionally, Aadhaar cards will also be accepted in accordance with the Supreme Court's directions. The drive is expected to last for two months, including verifications and new enrolments.

Delhi poll body gears up for SIR; date yet to be announced