EC Eases SIR Process, Denies Internal Differences Over Exercise (Img: X/ECISVEEP)
New Delhi: Amid rising questions over rift, 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.
Apex poll body also announced measures to simplify the process for voters who receive notices over discrepancies in their electoral records.
The clarification came amid a row over a report claiming differences within the Commission over the SIR exercise. The ECI also announced steps to make it easier for voters facing notices to submit documents and respond to queries.
At the meeting, the Commission decided that voters who receive notices during the ongoing SIR for being unmapped or having logical discrepancies will not ordinarily be required to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
It was decided that Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) will visit voters' homes to collect the required documents and upload them on ECINet, after which the ERO will take a decision.
Hearings on notices will be held only in exceptional cases, preferably online. An adult family member may also attend a hearing on behalf of an elector if authorised. The Commission said facilities for online hearings would be strengthened.
The ECI also directed district election officers to establish help desks and special camps, depending on local requirements, for people living in night shelters, labourers, poor people and homeless persons.
The Commission said SIR had been completed in 20 states and Union territories, including Bihar and West Bengal. Voters whose names were left out during or after the exercise, along with young and first-time voters, can apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion through continuous updation. Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and EROs have been directed to launch a special enrolment drive.
The Commission also clarified that a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary was not related to any policy decision concerning the ECI or its IT division. It said the letter concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the Commission.
The ECI said work redistribution orders issued by the officer were not implemented following directions from two Commissioners. It also clarified that oversight of the IT division by the Deputy Election Commissioner was never withdrawn.
The Commission 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.
It further said future initiatives involving IT modules and portals would first be discussed by the Committee of Officers before being placed for approval.
The Commission said the SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, covering all states and Union territories and subsequently implemented in phases, had received unanimous approval. It added that the Supreme Court upheld the order on May 27, 2026.
The ECI said, “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.”
A meeting of the Election Commission of India was held today, 26 September 2026, at 3:00 PM at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi.
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi were present in today’s meeting.… pic.twitter.com/WZoqEIXVJq
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) September 26, 2026
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.
In Maharashtra, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended till October 12, while their disposal will continue till November 10.
In Goa, the ECI said BLOs had been directed to visit voters left out of the rolls and collect their forms. Of the 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. It further required officers’ annual performance reports to be completed by December 31 each year.
The ECI said Commission approval would be required for official foreign trips, while directions issued by Commissioners to officers must be complied with.
