What Is SIR? Why Kerala’s Special Intensive Revision Has Confused Voters Across the State

Kerala is currently witnessing one of its most extensive electoral exercises in two decades as the Election Commission of India (ECI) carries out the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This is the first such exercise since 2002, and while the objective is to clean up voter records ahead of the 2026 Assembly election, the process has unexpectedly left thousands of voters confused — mainly due to the requirement to provide data from 23 years ago.

1. What Exactly Is SIR?

The Special Intensive Revision is not the usual annual update of voter rolls. Instead, it is a one-time, detailed verification where booth-level officers (BLOs) visit every household, distribute forms, and collect updated voter information.

2. Why the 2002 Data Requirement Is a Problem

Voters must provide details recorded during the 2002 SIR — including legislative assembly constituency, booth number, and serial number. But most people have changed homes, districts, or states since then. Many were minors in 2002, while NRIs returning after decades have no way to trace older data.

3. Why Old Data Isn’t Available Online

BLOs say the biggest obstacle is the lack of access to 2002 SIR records through the ECI website. Even entering old EPIC numbers does not fetch results, making the process difficult for voters and officials alike.

4. BLOs Confirm Widespread Confusion

Booth officers across Kerala report that even elderly voters with decades of voting history cannot remember their old booth details. Many don’t know where they lived or voted in 2002.

5. Young Voters and NRIs Face Added Challenges

Those who turned 18 after 2002 — or those who lived abroad — never participated in the earlier SIR. They now rely entirely on voter records of deceased parents or relatives, which often contain spelling errors or outdated information.

6. Help Camps Being Set Up Across Districts

To reduce panic, authorities have started SIR assistance camps, where BLOs help people navigate online search tools and locate old voter data if possible. Officials say voters have time until May 2026, but early submission is encouraged.

7. What Happens if 2002 Data Cannot Be Found?

If a voter’s old details remain untraced, the ECI may:

• issue a notice for further verification

• temporarily withhold the name from the draft roll

• allow re-entry after identity is confirmed through supporting documents

No final decision is automatic; verification will continue case-by-case.

8. Common Problems Voters Face — and Solutions

a) Don’t remember the 2002 booth name?

Use the CEO Kerala website → choose district → choose LAC → enter voter name in Malayalam.

b) Confusion due to delimitation?

Call the BLO number provided on your SIR form to verify your current LAC.

c) Old spelling errors?

Fill the form using existing records; corrections can be done after SIR via Form 8.

9. EPIC Number Confusion Explained

Some voters have:

• a new EPIC (10-digit alphanumeric), and

• an old EPIC from 2002

The new EPIC goes in the first part of the SIR form.
The old EPIC is required in the section asking for previous SIR details.

10. The Tricky ‘Nearest Relative in 2002 SIR’ Section

This part has confused almost everyone.
Here’s the correct format:

• Voter’s Name: Name of your nearest relative (usually father)

• EPIC Number: Old EPIC number of that relative

• Relative’s Relative: Name of their nearest relative (example: grandfather)

This helps the ECI map family entries across generations.