Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27 -- In a major step toward ensuring transparency and accuracy in electoral data, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the second phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a large-scale cleanup and verification of voter lists across the country. The exercise aims to eliminate inaccuracies and strengthen the integrity of India's electoral system.

The new phase will cover around 12 states and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, all heading for Assembly elections in 2026. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said these states were prioritized to ensure their final rolls are updated well before polling.

The ECI has already completed a similar...