Election Commission to Launch Phase III of Voter‑Verified Paper Trail Across 22 Indian States
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on May 11, 2026, that Phase III of its Secure and Integrated Voter‑Verified Paper Audit Trail (SIR) system will be rolled out in the coming days, covering 22 states and union territories. The expansion follows successful pilots in eight states during the 2025 general elections and aims to enhance transparency ahead of the 2027 state assembly polls.
The SIR initiative was initially delayed due to the hectic schedule of assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal last month. With those elections concluded, the commission now seeks to standardise electronic voting machines with paper receipts to mitigate allegations of tampering.
ECI chief Gyanesh Kumar said, “Phase III will introduce real‑time verification and audit capabilities, strengthening public confidence.” Reuters noted that the system will equip over 250,000 polling stations with VVPAT units, while the Times of India reported concerns from some political parties about the cost and logistics of nationwide deployment.
Election law experts argue that while SIR can improve credibility, its effectiveness depends on rigorous post‑poll audits. Former Supreme Court judge R. Mohan highlighted that “paper trails are only as good as the mechanisms that verify them.”
Implementation will begin on May 15, with rolling monitoring in each state. The ECI has set a target to complete full integration before the next Lok Sabha election in 2029, and observers will assess its impact on voter turnout and dispute resolution during the upcoming state elections.