EC announces new schedule as SIR update deadline extended in 12 states

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a major relief to citizens of 12 states and union territories, the Election Commission has extended the deadline for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for updating the voter list by seven days. The Commission has revoked its earlier order and issued a new revised schedule for the entire process. This extension has been specifically given for those states and union territories where the SIR process was already underway. These states include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. According to the Commission, this additional time has been granted to make the voter list more accurate, error-free, and well-organized.

According to the new schedule released by the Commission, the process of door-to-door enumeration and reorganization of polling stations will continue until December 11, 2025. Subsequently, the control table updates and draft roll preparation will be completed between December 12 and December 15, 2025. The draft voter list will now be published on December 16, 2025. Additionally, voters will be able to submit claims and objections for inclusion, deletion, or correction from December 16, 2025, to January 15, 2026. The process of processing these claims and objections will be completed by February 7, 2026.

The extension of the deadline will directly benefit both the general electorate and the electoral system. Those who have previously been unable to add their names to the voter list, or whose details contain errors, will now have an additional week to make corrections. Furthermore, more time will be available for field verification and hearings at the BLO and ERO levels, reducing the scope for errors in the final voter list and achieving the Commission's goal of preparing an accurate voter list.