GANGTOK, May 27: Deputy Director of the Election Commission of India (Media Section), Mr. Apurva Kumar Singh, on Wednesday convened a meeting with local media representatives in Gangtok to discuss the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Sikkim.
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| Deputy Director of the Election Commission of India (Media Section), Apurva Kumar Singh, addresses a meeting on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Gangtok on May 27, 2026. (DIO Gangtok) |
The meeting was held at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sikkim at Baluakhani and focused on strengthening voter awareness, improving public participation, and ensuring accurate electoral rolls across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Apurva Kumar Singh emphasized the crucial role of the media in enhancing electoral awareness and ensuring wider outreach, particularly in geographically challenging states like Sikkim. He noted that effective communication in regional languages is essential for the successful implementation of the Special Intensive Revision process.
He stated that the primary objective of the SIR exercise is to ensure that every eligible citizen above 18 years of age is included in the electoral rolls while removing duplicate, deceased, and ineligible entries. The process also aims to correct errors related to names, addresses, and other voter details.
Clarifying the nature of the revision exercise, the Deputy Director said the Special Intensive Revision is more comprehensive than a routine summary revision. According to him, it combines elements of both intensive revision and summary updates to make the electoral rolls more accurate, inclusive, and reliable.
Highlighting the importance of media outreach, Mr. Singh said newspapers, television, radio, digital platforms, and local communication networks serve as vital links between the Election Commission and the public. He pointed out that many villages in Sikkim are located in remote and difficult terrains, making media involvement even more significant in ensuring information reaches every eligible voter.
He further stressed the need for communication in regional languages, stating that dissemination of election-related information in local dialects helps improve public understanding and encourages broader participation in the democratic process.
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Mr. Singh also outlined several major objectives of the Special Intensive Revision exercise, including improving the accuracy of electoral rolls by removing duplicate and ineligible entries, ensuring inclusion of first-time voters, migrants, and previously omitted citizens, and reinforcing public trust in elections through the principle of “one person, one vote.”
He added that demographic changes, migration patterns, and newly eligible voters turning 18 make regular revision exercises essential for reflecting ground realities. Such updates, he said, also help reduce disputes during elections and facilitate smoother polling operations ahead of major electoral exercises.
The meeting was attended by Special Secretary of the Election Department Ms. Tashi Choden Bhutia, Joint Secretary Ms. Sonam Chokki Yonzon, and other officials from the Election Department.
