The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a Special Revision of electoral rolls in Assam, setting the stage for a comprehensive update of the state’s voter list ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on February 10, 2026. This decision, issued on Monday, reflects the unique administrative and legal context of citizenship verification in Assam and seeks to ensure accuracy, transparency, and completeness in the voter rolls. The exercise, officials say, falls between the routine annual special summary revision and the more elaborate Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

At the heart of this decision lies Assam’s distinct legal position regarding citizenship, which is governed by specific provisions under the Citizenship Act. Unlike other states, Assam has undergone a separate verification process, monitored closely by the Supreme Court, to manage questions of citizenship and to identify individuals who may not meet the criteria required to be included in the voter rolls. This process is nearing its final stages, prompting the Election Commission to adopt a tailored approach for the revision of Assam’s electoral rolls.

A senior official explained that the Special Revision is “an upgrade of the special summary revision,” designed to be more robust yet not as extensive as the Special Intensive Revision that the EC has ordered in other states. Instead of collecting fresh enumeration forms as in past years, booth-level officers (BLOs) will work with pre-filled registers containing the demographic details of existing electors. This will streamline verification and reduce the chances of clerical errors or duplication.

The revision process will use January 1, 2026, as the qualifying date for the inclusion of new electors. This means that individuals who turn 18 by that date will be eligible to enroll during this revision cycle. As part of the field verification exercise, BLOs will visit households between November 22 and December 20. The household is considered the base unit for verification, allowing officers to confirm or update details such as names, ages, addresses, and photographs in person. This door-to-door approach aims to capture changes such as migration, deaths, or new eligible voters reaching adulthood.

One significant aspect of the revision is the treatment of D-Voters, or “doubtful voters,” a classification unique to Assam. These are individuals whose citizenship status has been questioned and who have been referred to Foreigners Tribunals under the Foreigners Act of 1946. D-Voters remain disenfranchised until cleared by the tribunal or a competent court. In keeping with legal procedures, the Election Commission has clarified that the details of D-Voters will not be verified during the special revision, nor will they be altered in the pre-filled BLO registers. Their entries—name, age, and photograph—will be carried forward to the draft electoral roll without modification. Any change to their status, whether addition, deletion, or correction, will be made only upon receipt of a tribunal or court order.

The integrated draft electoral roll is scheduled to be published on December 27, 2025. Following this, objections and claims can be filed in accordance with the usual procedures. The final voter list will then be published on February 10, 2026, giving sufficient lead time for political parties and the public to review the updated rolls before the next election cycle.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the Election Commission’s move, emphasizing that the revision would strengthen the credibility and accuracy of the state’s electoral rolls. In a statement posted on social media, he expressed confidence that the updated list would benefit eligible citizens and assured full cooperation from the state government. He stressed that the revision would be conducted in a transparent and time-bound manner, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring that the democratic process is underpinned by reliable and current voter records.

The Special Revision in Assam comes at a time when the Election Commission has ordered Special Intensive Revisions in 13 other states and union territories, including Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal are due for elections in 2026, making the SIR a crucial part of their pre-election preparations. However, Assam’s unique legal framework regarding citizenship means the Special Intensive Revision model used in other states cannot be applied uniformly. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently clarified that the June 24 SIR order, which applied nationwide, would not extend to Assam due to these special considerations.

He added that citizenship verification in Assam, conducted under the Supreme Court’s supervision, is now close to completion. Conducting a Special Intensive Revision alongside this sensitive and legally complex process might have created procedural and logistical complications. Therefore, the Election Commission has opted for the Special Revision model, which allows for targeted and efficient verification while respecting the ongoing citizenship scrutiny.

The upcoming Special Revision underscores the importance of maintaining accurate and inclusive electoral rolls, especially in a politically significant state like Assam, where demographic changes and citizenship issues have historically been intertwined with electoral politics. As the state prepares for elections next year, the revised voter list will play a critical role in ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, while also safeguarding the legal integrity of the electoral system.

With the Supreme Court-monitored citizenship verification nearing its conclusion and the Special Revision scheduled to unfold over the next three months, Assam enters a crucial phase in its electoral landscape. The successful completion of this exercise will mark an essential step forward in strengthening electoral transparency, accountability, and public trust in one of India’s most closely watched states.