Election Commission deploys Special Observers across 8 states
New Delhi: The Election Commission has deployed special roll observers (SROs) in eight states to strengthen transparency and oversight during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the poll authority said on Friday.
The observers have been appointed in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan to monitor the voter list revision process and ensure accuracy in the preparation of electoral rolls.
According to the Election Commission, the special roll observers have already begun their assignments and will be present in the designated states at least two days a week until the final electoral rolls are published in February 2026.
As part of their mandate, the SROs will hold consultations with state-level and district-level leaders of recognised national and state political parties. They will also attend meetings with chief electoral officers (CEOs) and district election officers (DEOs), either in person or through virtual platforms.
The observers will closely track the SIR process to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible individual is included in the electoral rolls, reinforcing transparency and public participation in the revision exercise.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has extended the SIR timeline in five states and one Union territory following requests from chief electoral officers. The revised schedule applies to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the enumeration period has been extended until December 14, with the draft electoral rolls scheduled for publication on December 19. For Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enumeration will continue until December 18, and the draft rolls will be released on December 23.
In Uttar Pradesh, the enumeration period has been extended until December 26, with the draft electoral rolls to be published on December 31.
The Election Commission said the enumeration process for Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal will conclude as scheduled on Thursday, with the draft electoral rolls to be published on December 16.
The schedule for Kerala was revised earlier. The enumeration period in the state will end on December 18, and the draft electoral roll will be published on December 23.
PTI inputs