Fair Election / ECI Orders Review of ECINet, Extends SIR Deadlines in Delhi and Maharashtra
·2 hours ago·3 min read
Key Points
The ECI clarified that all major SIR decisions were taken with full Commission approval; BLOs will visit voters issued notices to collect documents instead of requiring them to appear before the ERO.
New Delhi, Sep 26: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said all major decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were taken with the approval of the full Commission.
The clarification came amid questions over the decision-making process within the three-member poll panel. In a press note issued after a meeting on September 26, the ECI also announced changes to the SIR notice and hearing process and ordered a review of its ECINet system.
BLOs To Visit Voters Issued Notices
The Commission said voters who receive notices for being unmapped or for having logical discrepancies will not normally have to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
Instead, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit their homes, collect the required documents and upload them on ECINet. The ERO will then take a decision based on the documents.
The clarification came amid questions over the decision-making process within the three-member poll panel. In a press note issued after a meeting on September 26, the ECI also announced changes to the SIR notice and hearing process and ordered a review of its ECINet system.
BLOs To Visit Voters Issued Notices
The Commission said voters who receive notices for being unmapped or for having logical discrepancies will not normally have to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
Instead, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit their homes, collect the required documents and upload them on ECINet. The ERO will then take a decision based on the documents.
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Hearings will be held only in exceptional cases. The ECI said such hearings should preferably be conducted online. An adult family member can also be authorised to appear on behalf of the elector.
ECINet To Undergo Review
The Commission has also ordered a review of ECINet, the system used for electoral roll-related work.
A committee headed by a senior Deputy Election Commissioner will examine the system, with an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT also included. The review will check whether the system complies with the relevant laws and rules.
The ECI said several upgrades have already been made based on inputs from state Chief Electoral Officers.
ECI Clarifies Cabinet Secretary Letter
On the letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the Commission said it was related to the functioning of an officer on deputation to the ECI and was not connected with any policy decision of the Commission or its IT division.
The ECI said some work redistribution orders issued by the concerned officer were not implemented following directions from two Election Commissioners. It also said oversight of the IT division by the Deputy Election Commissioner was never withdrawn.
ECINet To Undergo Review
The Commission has also ordered a review of ECINet, the system used for electoral roll-related work.
A committee headed by a senior Deputy Election Commissioner will examine the system, with an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT also included. The review will check whether the system complies with the relevant laws and rules.
The ECI said several upgrades have already been made based on inputs from state Chief Electoral Officers.
ECI Clarifies Cabinet Secretary Letter
On the letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the Commission said it was related to the functioning of an officer on deputation to the ECI and was not connected with any policy decision of the Commission or its IT division.
The ECI said some work redistribution orders issued by the concerned officer were not implemented following directions from two Election Commissioners. It also said oversight of the IT division by the Deputy Election Commissioner was never withdrawn.
Deadlines Extended In Delhi, Maharashtra
The ECI has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi to October 30. The disposal of notices, claims and objections has been extended to November 30.
In Maharashtra, the filing deadline has been extended to October 12, while disposal will continue until November 10.
Special Drive For Left-Out Voters
The Commission said SIR has been completed in 20 states and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal.
Voters whose names were left out, including young and first-time voters, can apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion through the continuous updation process.
The ECI has directed Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and EROs to launch special enrolment drives to facilitate this process.
Also Read: Relief for Non‑Data Users as TRAI Mandates Cheaper Packs
Form 6 Declaration Upheld
The Commission also said the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
For periods outside SIR, forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will continue to be used.
The ECI further said its SIR orders, including the nationwide exercise launched in phases, were approved unanimously by the full Commission. It said the Supreme Court had also upheld its June 24, 2025 SIR order.
Goa Issue Addressed
In Goa, the Commission said BLOs were directed to visit voters who had been left out. Of 97 such voters identified, 81 have already submitted Form 6.
The September 26 meeting was attended by all three Election Commissioners, and the press note said the decisions had the approval of the full Commission.
The ECI has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi to October 30. The disposal of notices, claims and objections has been extended to November 30.
In Maharashtra, the filing deadline has been extended to October 12, while disposal will continue until November 10.
Special Drive For Left-Out Voters
The Commission said SIR has been completed in 20 states and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal.
Voters whose names were left out, including young and first-time voters, can apply to the concerned ERO for inclusion through the continuous updation process.
The ECI has directed Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and EROs to launch special enrolment drives to facilitate this process.
Also Read: Relief for Non‑Data Users as TRAI Mandates Cheaper Packs
Form 6 Declaration Upheld
The Commission also said the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court.
For periods outside SIR, forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will continue to be used.
The ECI further said its SIR orders, including the nationwide exercise launched in phases, were approved unanimously by the full Commission. It said the Supreme Court had also upheld its June 24, 2025 SIR order.
Goa Issue Addressed
In Goa, the Commission said BLOs were directed to visit voters who had been left out. Of 97 such voters identified, 81 have already submitted Form 6.
The September 26 meeting was attended by all three Election Commissioners, and the press note said the decisions had the approval of the full Commission.
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