Congress' Bhupesh Baghel questions Centre, seeks clarity on identification of illegal immigrants after EC announces second phase of SIR
Oct 27, 2025
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 27 : After the Election Commission announced the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Monday questioned the Centre over the identification of illegal immigrants.
Speaking to the reporters, Bhupesh Baghel said, "The announcement of SIR in Chhattisgarh has been made, but the Election Commission should tell how many Bangladeshis have been identified in Bihar... how many people have been excluded? Because through SIR, these people are talking about driving out foreign citizens... Even till now, the Union Home Ministry has not been able to tell how many people from Pakistan are living in Chhattisgarh..."
The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, with the final voter list to be published on February 7, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar said the exercise will cover Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 202, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.
"The second phase of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is about to be carried out in 12 States and UTs," the CEC said.
Following the Supreme Court's directions, the ECI has included Aadhaar in the list of 12 indicative documents, as per its September 9 order relating to the SIR in Bihar.
