Agencies | New Delhi:
Amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission on Saturday announced a series of measures aimed at making the verification process easier for voters, including doorstep collection of documents from those who receive notices over unmapped records or logical discrepancies.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission said voters issued such notices will ordinarily not be required to appear personally before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO).
Instead, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit the homes of such electors, collect the required documents and upload them on the ECINet platform for consideration by the ERO.
The Commission said hearings would be held only in exceptional circumstances and, as far as possible, through online mode. An adult family member authorised by the elector can also appear on their behalf if a hearing is required.
Special assistance for vulnerable voters
The Commission has directed District Election Officers to organise special camps and help desks to assist people who may face difficulties during the SIR exercise.
The facilities will particularly cater to people living in night shelters, labourers, poor and homeless persons, among other vulnerable groups.
The ECI has also ordered a review of the ECINet system 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 being included.
ECINet provides a range of voter services connected with the SIR exercise, including searching previous electoral rolls and submitting documents against notices. The platform was launched by the ECI in January 2026 as an integrated digital platform for election-related services.
The Commission has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi to October 30, 2026, while the deadline for disposal of notices, claims and objections has been extended to November 30.
In Maharashtra, electors can now file claims and objections until October 12, with the disposal deadline extended to November 10, 2026.
The ECI said the SIR exercise has been completed in 20 States and Union Territories. Electors left out of the rolls, including young and first-time voters, can seek inclusion through the continuous updation process.
The Commission’s voter services platform also allows electors to search previous SIR electoral rolls and submit documents against notices.
Amid reports of differences within the poll panel over the SIR exercise, the Election Commission reiterated that the SIR order and subsequent schedules were approved unanimously by the full Commission.
The ECI said its SIR order covering States and Union Territories was issued on June 24, 2025, with the exercise beginning in Bihar before being extended to West Bengal and other States and Union Territories.
The Commission also referred to the Supreme Court’s May 27, 2026 judgment concerning the SIR and said the declaration attached to Form 6 for the SIR period had been upheld by the court. For periods outside the SIR exercise, the applicable forms under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will continue to be used.
The latest press note, the Commission said, was issued with the approval of the full three-member panel.
