2002 Versus 2025: A Comparative Analysis of Two SIRs

Answers to an RTI reveal that the 2001-2002 process was more inclusive and called for more accountability from the authorities than the 2025 one.

Pankti Jog

Answers to an RTI reveal that the 2001-2002 process was more inclusive and called for more accountability from the authorities than the 2025 one.

2002 versus 2025 a comparative analysis of two sirs

Electoral staff segregate forms of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Photo: PTI.

The SIR process is being conducted in 12 states and Union territories by the Election Commission of India.

Some salient features discussed already in the news is that those who wish to be on the 2025 voter list need to show their presence or link to the 2002 voter list. By now, it is well known how people across 12 states have been facing huge problems in looking up their names in the 2002 voter list.

The cut off date was decided to be 2002 because the last SIR was conducted in 2001-02. However little is known about how the 2002 SIR was done. One of the authors of this piece, Santosh Sinh Rathod, filed a Right to Information request with the Election Commission to get a copy of the 2001-2002 guidelines and the way the exercise was carried out.

The answers reveal that the 2001-2002 process was more inclusive and called for more accountability from the authorities than the 2025 one.

Santosh Sinh Rathod is an Ahmedabad-based electoral reform activist.

Mujaheed Nafis is secretary of PUCL, Gujarat.

Pankti Jog is state coordinator of ADR, Gujarat.

This article went live on December twelfth, two thousand twenty five, at fifty-two minutes past two in the afternoon.

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