To SIR, With Love: Reflections on the Special Intensive Revision

  •   Tue, Jul 14 2026
  •   By Fr Ajay Nelson D'Silva SJ

July 14, 2026

The exercise of democracy usually manifests itself during elections days. People can be seen queuing at the polling centers, debating passionately, and monitoring the proceedings very keenly. However, something else which most people do not take note of is all the effort that goes into making sure that the exercise is done successfully. The process of conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is among the procedures that are undertaken. Like most citizens, I used to view it as another activity carried out by the government until when I experienced it first hand.

As the Booth Level Officer (BLO) paid us a visit, some queries came to mind. Why was another verification required? Why was some information being verified yet again? The BLO took time to explain that the reason why the verification had to be done was to ensure that the electoral roll remains current. The visit was friendly and professional enough. What could have turned out to be another official visit to our house gave me the chance to appreciate the effort put into safeguarding the voting rights of every citizen. Most of us felt online filling of enumeration forms is the best. This made me reach out to friends and neighbours around me and hear their experiences, which made me understand the significance of this democracy exercise from a much broader perspective.

An elderly gentleman from our area recounted an experience to me with a smile. He recounted how he was not available at home during the visit of the BLO. Rather than merely marking his visit as a failure, the BLO came back on another occasion. "He could have very well forgotten about me," remarked the gentleman, "but he made it a point to check my details so that my vote would still be counted."

Another heart-warming story was told to me by a widow from the neighbouring locality. Since the loss of her husband, she was always worried about maintaining her family’s details. She said that she used to be scared of all the governmental formalities. With patience and kindness, the BLO helped her clear all her doubts regarding the formalities. "I was expecting a hurried government official," she said, "but found someone who listened to me with patience."

One of the most uplifting stories came from an eighteen-year-old girl who just recently got into voting age. She said how excited she was about being a voter. BLOs explained the entire process of getting registered to vote, and motivated her to exercise her right in the election process. “It’s like having a certificate of adulthood,” she said.

Another story came from a daily-wage worker. Being away for work during sunrise and returning in the evening, he had missed out on the first visit. Understanding this, the officer visited again at a time convenient for him. “Not working for a day is tough for me,” he had said. The officer took this into consideration and made the schedule accordingly.

Of course, such a public activity is always accompanied by some difficulties. A couple of residents have pointed out that they had some doubts regarding the documents they should present. Some elder citizens thought they would need a bit of assistance when dealing with the Internet. Some people thought that the procedure could have been better clarified, particularly for elderly individuals who were not used to using the Internet. However, everyone understood that the officers were under pressure and had a difficult task to do. Nevertheless, most of them admitted that the BLOs worked under quite challenging conditions – they had to serve hundreds of households in a relatively short period of time.

This personal experience has shown me something valuable. A single government programme can become completely different depending on the human interaction it involves. A good explanation is a way to create confidence. A friendly greeting can generate trust. Being ready to listen to someone's words can show your respect. In many situations, it is not the procedure itself that people keep in their memories, but the person who represents it. This experience has made me think about our responsibilities as citizens. We are always willing to get high-quality public services from the government. At the same time, we have certain duties in a democratic society.

Perhaps the most important lesson learned from the SIR process is that democracy is made quietly. It happens whenever the details of an old citizen are revised, whenever a new voter is registered, whenever the migrant worker updates his record, and whenever a BLO moves door-to-door despite the heat, rainfall, and hardworking hours. Such actions do not usually make for news, but they are making democracy and building its basic structure.

The Special Intensive Revision is not only about administrative work. It reminds us that each name in the electoral roll belongs to a human being – a citizen who should be given the opportunity to speak his mind. As I reflect on my personal experience and many other experiences recounted by so many people, I am left with a deepened appreciation for an often overlooked practice. The determination shown by many Booth Level Officers, but not all, the cooperation of normal citizens, and the determination to keep a reliable list of voters are all worthy of praise.

Therefore, "To SIR, With Love" is no mere catchy phrase for the book's title. It is my way of expressing my appreciation for a process that taught me that democracy does not start at the voting station, but rather it starts at your door step with a simple knock and a discussion that makes sure that every single citizen counts in the history of the nation.

 

 
By Fr Ajay Nelson D'Silva SJ
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