India, May 14 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday directed the chief electoral officers of 16 states and three Union Territories to commence Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, covering 367.3 million electors, while keeping Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh out of the current phase due to ongoing Census operations and weather conditions in snow-bound regions.

Launching Phase III, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, "I appeal to all electors to enthusiastically participate in the Phase III of Special Intensive Revision and fill their Enumeration Forms. SIR is being conducted with the objective to ensure that only eligible voters are included in the electoral rol...