SIR row: EC says final decisions unanimous, clarifies officer’s role, voter inclusion process | India News
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Saturday said all decisions taken on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including the nationwide exercise, were approved unanimously, while announcing measures to simplify the process for voters facing notices over discrepancies.The clarification comes amid row over report that claimed differences within the EC over SIR of electoral rolls.“In the recent months, the Commission has taken numerous decisions including SIR across the country. The order for the SIR issued on 24.6.2025 for all the States/UTs, starting with Bihar, followed by West Bengal and 30 other States/UTs was issued with the unanimous approval of the Commission. The same has been upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India vide its order dated 27.5.2026. The schedule for SIR for 12 States and UTs was issued on 27.10.2025 and those for 19 States/UTs was issued on 14.05.2026 with the unanimous approval of the Commission. The final figure of number of electors will be known only after final publication in the remaining 12 states of Phase-III,” the poll body said in a statement.At a meeting held on Saturday, the Commission decided that voters who receive notices during the ongoing SIR over being unmapped or having logical discrepancies will not ordinarily have to appear before the electoral registration officer (ERO). Booth-level officers (BLOs) will visit their homes to collect documents and upload them on ECINet for the ERO to decide.Hearings will be held only in exceptional cases, preferably online. An adult family member can also attend a hearing on behalf of the elector if authorised. The Commission said facilities for online hearings would be strengthened.The Commission also directed district election officers to set up help desks and special camps for people living in night shelters, labourers, poor people and homeless persons, depending on local requirements.The EC said SIR has been completed in 20 states and Union territories, including Bihar and West Bengal. It said voters whose names were left out during or after the exercise, as well as young and first-time voters, can apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion through continuous updation. Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), DEOs and EROs have been directed to launch a special enrolment drive.
EC clarifies officer, IT division row
The Commission also clarified that a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary was not related to any policy decision concerning the Commission or its IT division, but concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the EC.It said work redistribution orders issued by the officer were not implemented after directions from two Commissioners, and oversight of the IT division by the Deputy Election Commissioner was never withdrawn.The EC said field officers have role-based access to the ECINet system based on their statutory powers. A committee headed by a senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent IIT/IIIT expert will review the system for compliance with relevant laws and rules.The Commission also said future initiatives involving IT modules and portals would be discussed by the Committee of Officers before being placed for approval.
Claims deadline extended in Delhi, Maharashtra
The Commission extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi till October 30, following a request from the Delhi CEO. The deadline for disposal of notices and claims and objections has been extended till November 30.
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In Maharashtra, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended till October 12, while their disposal will continue till November 10.The Commission further said the SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, covering all states and UTs and subsequently implemented in phases, had received unanimous approval. It added that the Supreme Court upheld the order on May 27, 2026.In Goa, the EC said BLOs had been directed to visit voters left out of the rolls and collect their forms. Of 97 such voters, 81 have already filled Form 6 for inclusion.The Commission also directed that agendas for its meetings be circulated in advance and minutes issued, while requiring officers’ annual performance reports to be completed by December 31 each year. It further said Commission approval would be required for official foreign trips and that directions issued by Commissioners to officers must be complied with.
