EC Holds First Meeting Amid SIR Row, Reaffirms Unanimity; Deadlines Extended

Amid the continuing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission on Saturday announced a series of measures to simplify verification for voters facing notices.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission also reiterated that its decisions on SIR had been approved unanimously.

Under the revised process, voters who receive notices because their records could not be mapped with previous electoral rolls or because of logical discrepancies will generally not have to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).

Instead, Booth Level Officers will visit such voters at their homes, collect the required documents and upload them on ECINET. Hearings will be conducted only in exceptional cases and, where possible, online. An authorised family member will also be permitted to appear on behalf of an elector.

Special help for vulnerable voters

District Election Officers have been directed to establish special camps and help desks for people who could face difficulties during the SIR exercise.

The facilities will cater particularly to people living in night shelters, labourers, economically vulnerable people and those without homes.

ECINET system to be reviewed

The Commission has ordered a review of the ECINET platform to assess its compliance with election laws and procedures.

A committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner will conduct the review, with an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT also included in the panel. ECINET provides services connected to SIR, including searching previous electoral rolls and uploading documents in response to notices.

Deadlines extended in Delhi, Maharashtra

The ECI has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi to October 30, 2026, while the deadline for their disposal has been extended to November 30.

In Maharashtra, voters can now submit claims and objections until October 12, with the disposal deadline extended to November 10.

• Both states are part of the same phase of the SIR exercise.
• SIR completed in 20 states and UTs

The Commission said SIR has been completed in 20 states and Union territories. People who have been left out of the electoral rolls, including young and first-time voters, can seek inclusion through the continuous updation process.

The voter portal also allows electors to search previous SIR rolls and submit documents against notices.

EC reiterates claim of unanimous decisions

The latest measures come amid reports of differences within the three-member poll panel over aspects of the SIR exercise.

The Commission said all decisions relating to SIR, including the nationwide order and subsequent schedules, were approved unanimously by the full panel. It has previously said that comments or objections raised during internal deliberations are part of the normal process and do not necessarily represent a dissenting final decision.

The ECI said its nationwide SIR order was issued on June 24, 2025, beginning with Bihar before being extended to West Bengal and other states and Union territories. It also cited the Supreme Court’s handling of the SIR framework and said the declaration attached to Form 6 during the SIR period had been upheld.

For periods outside the SIR exercise, the Commission said the forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will continue to apply.

The latest press note was issued with the approval of the full Commission.