EC takes 'unanimous decisions' at meet extending SIR deadlines, easing notice process

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday announced a series of measures concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, including easing the hearing process for voters facing notices, extending deadlines for claims and objections in Delhi and Maharashtra and ordering a review of its ECINET system.

The decisions were announced after a meeting of the full Commission, comprising Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held at 3 pm on Saturday.

The meeting comes amid allegations and questions over the functioning of the poll panel and reported objections by the two Election Commissioners to certain decisions linked to electoral-roll revision.

In its press note, however, the ECI reiterated that major decisions concerning SIR were taken with the unanimous approval of the full Commission.

Key observations and decisions from the ECI meeting

1. Home visits for voters facing SIR notices: The Commission said Booth Level Officers will visit the homes of people who receive notices during the ongoing SIR because they are classified as 'unmapped' or have logical discrepancies. BLOs will collect the relevant documents and upload them on ECINET for consideration by the Electoral Registration Officer.
2. No routine physical hearing: The ECI said such voters will not ordinarily have to appear before the ERO or AERO. Hearings will preferably be conducted online in exceptional cases, as decided by the ERO. An adult family member can also be authorised by the elector to attend the hearing on their behalf.
3. Help for vulnerable groups: District Election Officers have been directed to set up adequate help desks and special camps for people living in night shelters, labourers, poor people, homeless persons and others who may require assistance.
4. ECINET to undergo independent review: The Commission said a committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT will review ECINET to check whether the system complies with relevant laws and rules.
5. New IT initiatives to go through officers' committee: The ECI said future initiatives involving IT modules and portals will be discussed by the Committee of Officers before being placed before the Commission for approval.
6. Delhi gets more time: Following a request from the Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended to October 30, 2026. The deadline for disposal of notices and claims and objections has been extended to November 30.
7. Maharashtra deadline extended: In Maharashtra, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended to October 12, while the period for disposal has been extended to November 10.
8. Form 6 declaration reiterated: The ECI said the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For periods outside SIR, forms applicable under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, will be used.
9. SIR completed in 20 States/UTs: The Commission said SIR has already been completed in 20 States and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal. It directed election officials to facilitate enrolment of people whose names were left out, as well as young and first-time voters.
10. Special enrolment drive: Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers have been directed to immediately launch a special drive for such voters.
11. Goa voter update: The ECI said the CEO of Goa has directed BLOs to visit voters left out of the electoral rolls and collect their forms. According to the Commission, 81 of the 97 voters concerned have already submitted Form 6 for inclusion.
12. Commission meetings to have formal agenda and minutes: The ECI said agendas for all Commission meetings will be circulated in advance and minutes will be issued.
13. Other administrative decisions: The Commission said Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of all officers should be completed by December 31 every year. It also said Commission approval would be required for foreign trips by officers and that directions issued by Commissioners to Commission officials must be complied with.

ECI reiterates SIR decisions were unanimous

A significant part of the press note dealt with the controversy surrounding the Commission's decision-making process.

The ECI said the SIR order issued on June 24, 2025, covering all States and Union Territories, beginning with Bihar and subsequently including West Bengal and 30 other States/UTs, had the unanimous approval of the Commission.

It also said the Supreme Court upheld the order in its May 27, 2026 judgment.

The Commission further said the SIR schedules issued for 12 States and Union Territories on October 27, 2025, and for another 19 States and Union Territories on May 14, 2026, were also approved unanimously.

The clarification assumes significance against the backdrop of reports that two Election Commissioners had raised objections on multiple occasions over decisions connected to electoral-roll revision.

The ECI has maintained that differences during internal deliberations do not amount to dissent against decisions finally adopted by the full Commission.

The poll panel also addressed a controversy involving a letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary.

It said the communication was not related to any policy matter concerning the Commission or its IT division, but concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the ECI.

The ECI said its latest press note was issued on the basis of the decisions taken at the September 26 meeting and had the approval of the full Commission.

The developments come as allegations concerning the SIR process and the functioning of CEC Gyanesh Kumar face increased political and legal scrutiny.

A petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court making allegations over decisions concerning SIR and changes to Form 6. Those allegations remain subject to judicial consideration.