Goa Leads India in Digitised SIR Electoral Roll Update

SIR Digitisation Progress

Goa Leads India in Digitised SIR Electoral Roll Update: The second round of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has shown sharp differences in digitisation across participating States and UTs. The Election Commission of India reports that 99.07% of enumeration forms have been collected, covering more than 50.50 crore voters. Digitisation stands at 47.35%, reflecting over 24.13 crore processed records.

Goa Ahead in Form Digitisation

Goa currently leads the nation with 76.89% digitisation. Officials attribute this performance to quicker field coordination, consistent BLO availability, and reduced geographical challenges. Rajasthan follows closely with 72.20%. These figures highlight the efficiency of smaller States in completing digital verification tasks within tight deadlines.
Static GK fact: Goa became a State in 1987 after being a Union Territory for 26 years.

Kerala and Uttar Pradesh Struggling

Kerala records only ~23% digitisation, placing it among the slowest performers. Uttar Pradesh stands at 26.6%, reflecting significant delays despite high form collection levels. Factors such as diverse terrain, scattered households, and large population density contribute to slower progress in these regions.
Static GK Tip: Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State in India, with over 24 crore residents.

Why Digitisation Matters

Digitisation helps refine voter information by eliminating outdated entries and preventing duplication. It supports faster processing of claims and objections once the draft roll is published. The effort ensures that final electoral rolls are accurate ahead of major election cycles.
Static GK fact: Electoral rolls in India are revised annually by the Election Commission under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

BLO Role and Field Challenges

The backbone of the SIR exercise is the Booth Level Officer (BLO). Most BLOs are teachers, clerks, Anganwadi workers, and local field staff. Many report technical constraints such as app crashes during photograph uploads. Aged BLOs and first-time digital workers face additional difficulty adapting to new systems. Some states have even noted stress, protests, and exhaustion due to workload intensity.

Ground Realities from Uttar Pradesh

Field reports from Uttar Pradesh reveal that many BLOs depend on family members to manage digital tasks. Supervisory checks and daily targets have heightened pressure. App inconsistencies and network issues limit smooth uploads, further slowing digitisation. Improved training and local troubleshooting support are key to addressing these challenges.

Key Dates and Next Steps

The enumeration phase closes on 4 December 2025. The draft electoral roll will be issued on 9 December 2025, after which citizens may file claims and objections. States are racing to complete pending data entry before this cut-off.
Static GK Tip: The Election Commission of India was established on 25 January 1950, celebrated as National Voters’ Day.

Participating States and UTs

The current SIR round covers Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. These regions follow a common schedule but vary widely in progress.

Need for Improved Digital Infrastructure

The ongoing disparities signal the need for better training modules, simplified mobile applications, and enhanced grievance redressal for field staff. States with slower progress may also require additional manpower or targeted digital support to minimise backlog before draft publication.

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Goa Leads India in Digitised SIR Electoral Roll Update: