The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will begin in April 2026. In a letter issued on February 19, 2026, the Commission informed Chief Electoral Officers of 22 states and Union Territories — including Sikkim — about the next phase of the nationwide exercise.
The SIR was first ordered in June 2025 with the aim of cleaning up voter lists by removing duplicate, fake and ineligible names, while ensuring that no eligible Indian citizen is excluded. In a small state like Sikkim, which has a population of around 6.7 lakh and nearly 4.5 lakh registered voters, even small changes in the electoral roll can have a noticeable political impact.
Preparations in Sikkim are already in full swing. A review meeting was held on February 17 at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Gangtok. Officials shared that door-to-door mapping has been completed up to 77 per cent across the state. Representatives of political parties were told that voters who have already been verified will not be subjected to fresh checks. However, individuals flagged during verification will have to submit one of 11 alternative documents. Aadhaar will be accepted only as proof of identity, not as proof of citizenship or residence.
The issue of voter rolls has always been sensitive in Sikkim. The rolls were digitised back in 2002, but concerns over accuracy and eligibility have surfaced from time to time.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who heads the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), has so far not made any public statement on the latest development. His government maintains an alliance with the BJP at the Centre while continuing to safeguard Sikkim’s special constitutional status under Article 371F. One important question that remains is whether the Certificate of Identification (COI), issued to old settlers, will be required during the verification process. The COI plays a significant role in protecting the rights of indigenous Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepali communities.
The Election Commission has asked states to speed up preparations. The SIR exercise is part of a broader national drive that began in Bihar ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections and later expanded to 12 states in October. The current phase will now cover the remaining 40 crore electors. In neighbouring Assam, a special revision concluded on February 10, during which more than 2.43 lakh names were reportedly removed.
However, the exercise has not been without criticism. Several opposition parties across the country have raised concerns, alleging that the SIR could be misused for voter suppression. The Supreme Court recently allowed the process to continue in West Bengal but directed authorities to ensure that it is carried out fairly and transparently.
In Sikkim, officials are likely to face logistical challenges, particularly in reaching remote villages in the North and East districts. With April 2026 approaching, political parties are keeping a close watch. In a small state, even minor alterations in the voter list can influence the outcome of future elections. The coming months will therefore be crucial — not just for administrative preparedness, but also for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.