Few were surprised when the Election Commission (EC) announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters’ lists in 12 states and Union Territories, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal—all of which go to the polls in 2026. The process, which involves verification and revalidation of voters’ credentials, has already begun in these states. However, Assam has been kept outside the current exercise, as its electoral revision is being carried out under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court. A separate order will be issued there. What has surprised many is the timing. Those who assumed that the EC would wait until the Bihar elections were completed before undertaking such a........

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