India, Oct. 28 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced the launch of the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, covering roughly half of India's nearly one billion-strong electorate in an exercise that will become a political flashpoint.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said electoral rolls will be frozen in 10 states and two UTs at midnight on Monday: These include four states that go to the polls in 2026, three in 2027, three in 2028, and two in 2029 . The enumeration process will begin on November 4, with draft rolls to be published on December 9, and the final rolls on February 7, 2026.

"SIR will ensure no eligible elector i...