The Election Commission of India held a meeting on September 26, 2026, and took several decisions concerning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Commission directed that, in cases where electors have received notices during the SIR process due to unmapped or logical discrepancies, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit their homes to collect the required documents and upload them on the ECINet system for consideration by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
Such persons will generally not be required to appear personally before the ERO. In exceptional circumstances, hearings may be conducted online. An adult family member may also be authorised by the elector to attend the hearing, if required.
District Election Officers (DEOs) have been directed to establish adequate help desks and organise special camps for people living in night shelters, labourers, poor and homeless persons, as required.
The Commission also noted that the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. For the non-SIR period, the applicable forms under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, will be used.
The Commission further decided to review the ECINet system. A committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, along with an independent expert from an IIT/IIIT, will examine the system to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Acts and Rules and submit its report to the Commission.
Deadlines Extended in Delhi and Maharashtra
Following requests from the Chief Electoral Officers of Delhi and Maharashtra, the Commission extended the deadlines for filing and disposal of claims and objections.
- Delhi: Claims and objections can be filed until October 30, 2026.
- Delhi: Disposal of notices and claims and objections has been extended until November 30, 2026.
- Maharashtra: Claims and objections can be filed until October 12, 2026.
- Maharashtra: Disposal of notices and claims and objections has been extended until November 10, 2026.
Voters Left Out During SIR Can Apply for Inclusion
- The Commission stated that SIR has already been completed in 20 States/UTs, including Bihar and West Bengal.
- Any person whose name has been left out during or after SIR, including young and first time voters, may apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion in the electoral roll through the continuous updation process.
- CEOs, DEOs and EROs have been directed to facilitate the enrolment process and immediately launch special drives for such eligible electors.
- The Commission also stated that the CEO Goa has directed concerned BLOs to conduct house to house visits to voters left out of the rolls. Of 97 voters identified, 81 had already filed Form 6 applications for inclusion.
Commission Clarifies SIR Decisions
- The Commission stated that a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary was not related to any policy matter of the Commission or its IT division. It concerned the working of an officer on deputation to the ECI.
- The Commission further stated that the SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, for all States and Union Territories, was approved unanimously. It said the order was upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on May 27, 2026.
- According to the Commission, the schedules for SIR in 12 States/UTs issued on October 27, 2025, and in 19 States/UTs issued on May 14, 2026, were also approved unanimously.
- The Commission said the final number of electors would be known only after the final publication of electoral rolls in the remaining 12 States/UTs covered under Phase III.
The press note stated that all decisions were taken at the Commission’s meeting held on September 26, 2026, and were approved by the full Commission.
Election Commission of India
