New Delhi [India], October 27 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday defended the Election Commission's announcement of Phase 2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) across 12 States and Union Territories, calling it a necessary step to ensure a clean and accurate voter list.

Speaking to ANI, Rijiju said the exercise to remove names of deceased, migrated, and non-citizen voters was 'an appreciable process' that strengthens the democratic system, urging the Opposition to support rather than question the EC's efforts.

'To sanitise the voter list, delete the names of deceased, migrated voters and foreign infiltrators is such an appreciable process. The Election Commission should be appreciated for this. If voter list is proper, election process will be conducted well. If fake voters, who are not Indian citizens, will be in the voter list, if deceased voters' names will not be deleted then the voter list will not be accurate. The list should be sanitised. So, they (Opposition) should understand that EC is doing good work and it should be appreciated and not challenged,' the Union Minister said.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026. The first phase of the SIR was conducted in Bihar in September, ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said the exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 202, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.

'The second phase of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is about to be carried out in 12 States and UTs,' the CEC said. (ANI)