Full Breakdown
Election Commission Overhauls Special Intensive Revision Process
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Measures Announced on September 26, 2026
On September 26 2026 the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a press note detailing nine decisions to streamline the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Physical hearings for voters flagged as “unmapped” or with logical discrepancies will be replaced by doorstep verification: Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) will collect documents at the elector’s home and upload them to the ECINET portal for the Electoral Registration Officer’s review. Hearings will be held only in exceptional cases and, when required, will be conducted online; an adult family member may appear on the voter’s behalf. The commission also launched a special drive for inclusion of any person left out during SIR, extended the claims-and-objections deadline for Delhi to October 30, 2026 and for Maharashtra to October 12, 2026, and announced special enrolment camps on September 27 and youth-voter drives on September 29-30.
Background to the Special Intensive Revision
SIR is a nationwide clean-up of voter lists that has been completed in 20 states and union territories. The exercise has faced criticism for alleged disenfranchisement and for internal disagreements among the three Election Commissioners. Reports of a rift over the ECINET portal prompted the commissioners to write to the Cabinet Secretary, a step reflected in the September 26 announcement.
Data on Voter Applications in Delhi
The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer reported 1,21,224 Form-6 applications for inclusion of new voters between August 31 and September 24. The highest district totals were West Delhi (14,838), North West Delhi (12,527), East Delhi (12,094), South East Delhi (11,864) and North East Delhi (11,191). In the same period, 2,242 Form-7 applications (objections or deletions) and 44,582 Form-8 applications (address changes, corrections, EPIC replacement, or marking of persons with disabilities) were logged.
Official Statements & Responses
The ECI’s statement emphasized that the declaration attached to Form 6, required during SIR, is upheld by the Supreme Court, while new registrations outside the SIR period will follow the Registration of Electors Rules 1960. A committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from an IIT/IIIT will audit the ECINET system for compliance. All new IT modules and portals will now be vetted by the Committee of Officers before Commission approval. The commission also pledged “meticulous compliance” with directions issued to officers, circulation of meeting agendas, issuance of minutes, and timely performance appraisals. Field officers are to receive role-based access to ECINET, with additional flexibility as needed.
Criticism & Opposition
Ramesh called for the CEC’s resignation or prosecution, reflecting broader opposition demands for accountability.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the Supreme Court’s stance: the ECI press note claims the Court “upheld” the Form 6 declaration, whereas an Indian Express investigation notes that the Court’s May 27 order does not explicitly confirm such an upholding. The online Form 6 question on parents’ details, flagged as “unauthorised/illegal” on August 13, remains unaddressed in the commission’s latest note.
What’s Next
The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on November 4, 2026, with the disposal of notices and claims extended to November 30, 2026. A revised schedule announced on December 4, 2026 moves the final voter list publication to that date. The special camps on September 27 and the youth enrolment drives on September 29-30 will continue assisting eligible voters through the remainder of the SIR process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The CEC thinks he can hide behind protocol. He stands exposed and is now petrified as an entire country seeks to hold him accountable.” — Jairam Ramesh, congress general secretary
