Election Commission Reviews Voter Enrolment, Electoral Roll Revision and Internal Administrative Issues
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India held a full Commission meeting at 3:00 PM on September 26, 2026, at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi in attendance.
The meeting comes amid recent public discussion over the functioning of the three-member poll panel and the decision-making process surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to the Commission’s press note, several decisions taken during the meeting received the unanimous approval of the Commission. The poll body also issued clarifications on matters relating to voter enrolment, SIR procedures, its technology platform and an administrative issue involving an officer on deputation.
SIR decisions reiterated
The Commission stated that its June 24, 2025 order for conducting SIR across all States and Union Territories was approved unanimously. It further said that subsequent SIR schedules issued for different groups of States and Union Territories also received unanimous approval.
The ECI noted that the Supreme Court had upheld the original SIR order on May 27, 2026. It said the final number of electors would become available after completion of the remaining phase and final publication of electoral rolls.
Relief for voters facing verification issues
The Commission also outlined changes intended to make the SIR verification process easier for voters whose records require additional verification.
In cases involving unmapped or problematic electoral-roll entries, Booth Level Officers will undertake house-to-house visits to collect documents, with voters generally not required to visit election offices. Hearings are expected only in exceptional cases, with online hearings being preferred where feasible.
The ECI also directed election authorities to strengthen help desks and organise special enrolment camps to assist people who may face difficulties in completing the voter-registration process.
Clarification on ECINET
The Commission addressed concerns surrounding ECINET, its digital election-management platform. It said access to electoral-roll information for field officials is provided according to their statutory responsibilities and authorised roles.
The ECI has decided to constitute a committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, with an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT, to review the system and assess whether further changes are required.
Administrative matter clarified
The Commission also explained that a communication sent to the Cabinet Secretary concerned the functioning of an officer on deputation to the ECI and was not related to any policy decision concerning the Commission or its IT division.
The ECI said that certain work-redistribution orders issued by the officer were not implemented following directions from two Election Commissioners, while oversight of the IT division by the Deputy Election Commissioner remained in place.
Electoral roll deadlines extended
The Commission has also extended certain deadlines connected with claims and objections in Delhi and Maharashtra. For Delhi, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended to October 30, 2026, while disposal has been extended to November 30. In Maharashtra, the corresponding deadlines have been extended to October 12 and November 10 respectively.
The ECI said SIR has already been completed in 20 States and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal. It added that continuous voter enrolment remains available for eligible persons, including young and first-time voters, subject to the applicable electoral rules.
The September 26 meeting and the accompanying press note therefore place the Commission’s position on record on several issues that have recently drawn public and political attention, while detailing procedural measures concerning voter enrolment and electoral-roll revision.
GTNS
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026