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Election Commission Takes Key Decisions on SIR 2026: The Election Commission of India held a meeting in New Delhi on September 26, 2026, to review several matters related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, voter enrolment, field-level verification and the functioning of the ECINet system.
According to the press note issued after the meeting, the Commission discussed measures intended to make the SIR process easier for voters, particularly those who receive notices over discrepancies in electoral-roll records. The meeting was held at 3 PM at Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi. The Election Commission’s current commission comprises Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi.
Election Commission Takes Key Decisions on SIR: What did the Election Commission decide?
One of the important decisions concerns voters who have received notices during the ongoing SIR because of unmapped entries or logical discrepancies.
Instead of requiring every such person to visit the ERO or AERO office for a hearing, the Commission’s press note says that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit their homes, collect the necessary documents and upload them on the ECINet system.
The documents will then be placed before the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for a decision.
This means that a person who has received such a notice will generally not need to appear personally at the ERO/AERO office for a hearing. The Commission said that hearings will be required only in exceptional circumstances as decided by the ERO, with online hearings preferred where possible.
An adult member of the elector’s family can also be authorised by the elector to attend a hearing on their behalf, if required.
Special help desks and camps for vulnerable groups
The Commission has also directed District Election Officers (DEOs) to establish an adequate number of help desks and special camps according to local requirements.
These facilities are particularly intended for people living in:
- Night shelters
- Labour settlements
- Poor and economically vulnerable communities
- Homeless populations
- Other groups who may face difficulties in completing the electoral-roll process
The objective is to provide assistance closer to where such voters live rather than leaving them to navigate the process on their own.
Election Commission Takes Key Decisions on SIR: What happens if someone’s name was left out of the electoral roll?
The Election Commission has also reiterated that people whose names were left out during or after the SIR process can approach the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for inclusion through the continuous updating process.
This provision is also relevant for young and first-time voters who are eligible for enrolment.
The Commission has directed Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and EROs to launch a special drive to facilitate enrolment of such eligible electors.
The ECI’s voter services system also provides online facilities for voter registration and related services.
Form 6 declaration and SIR
Another issue mentioned in the press note relates to the declaration attached to Form 6, which is used for inclusion of a person’s name in the electoral roll.
The Commission stated that the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the Supreme Court. For periods outside the SIR exercise, the forms applicable under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 will continue to be used.
The issue of the Form 6 declaration has also been the subject of recent discussion around the SIR process. A September 26 report noted that the Commission’s position is that the additional declaration was approved by the full Commission and that the form itself was not amended, with a separate declaration being added alongside it.
Review of ECINet system
The Commission also discussed access to the ECINet system by field officers.
According to the press note, field officers have role-based access based on their statutory powers. A committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from an IIT/IIM will review the ECINet system.
The purpose of the review is to check whether the system is operating in accordance with the relevant Acts and Rules.
The Commission also stated that several upgrades have already been made to the portal based on feedback received from State Chief Electoral Officers over recent months.
Going forward, new initiatives concerning IT modules and portals will be discussed by the Committee of Officers (COO) before being placed before the Commission for approval.
Election Commission Takes Key Decisions on SIR 26.09.2026 Official Notification: Download PDF
Important change in claims and objections in Delhi
The Commission has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections in Delhi until October 30, 2026, following a request from the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi.
The deadline for disposal of notices and claims and objections in Delhi has also been extended until November 30, 2026.
For Maharashtra, the Commission has extended the period for filing claims and objections until October 12, 2026. The disposal period has been extended until November 10, 2026.
The ECI’s broader SIR schedule also shows that different states and Union Territories are following different timelines, rather than a single nationwide deadline.
SIR completed in West Bengal and Bihar
The press note states that SIR has already been completed in 20 States and Union Territories, including Bihar and West Bengal.
The Commission has reiterated that people whose names have been left out can still approach the concerned ERO for inclusion through the continuous updating process.
This is particularly relevant for eligible citizens who may have missed enrolment during the SIR exercise.
Election Commission Takes Key Decisions on SIR: Other administrative decisions
The September 26 meeting also covered several internal administrative matters.
The Commission decided that agendas for its meetings would be circulated in advance and minutes would be issued.
It also reiterated that Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) of officers should be completed within the prescribed timeframe, by December 31 each year.
Approval of the Commission will also be required for foreign travel by its officers.
The Commission further directed that instructions issued by the Commissioners to Commission officers should be complied with carefully.
What voters should know now?
For voters affected by the SIR process, the latest decisions mainly concern document verification, notices, hearings and enrolment.
If a voter receives a notice because of an unmapped entry or logical discrepancy, the latest instructions indicate that the BLO may visit the person’s residence to collect the required documents.
At the same time, anyone whose name has been left out of the electoral roll, including an eligible first-time voter, can approach the concerned ERO for inclusion through the continuous updating process.
The exact procedure can depend on the voter’s circumstances and the applicable electoral-roll stage. Voters should therefore rely on information issued by the Election Commission and the concerned election authorities rather than unofficial social-media posts.
Key dates at a glance
| Matter | Deadline |
| Delhi claims & objections | 30 October 2026 |
| Delhi disposal of notices/claims & objections | 30 November 2026 |
| Maharashtra claims & objections | 12 October 2026 |
| Maharashtra disposal of notices/claims & objections | 10 November 2026 |
The Election Commission’s official information confirms that it is the constitutional authority responsible for administering electoral-roll and election processes across India.
Note: This article is based primarily on the Election Commission press note dated September 26, 2026, shown in the documents provided with the request. I also checked current ECI web material and recent reporting for cross-reference; the specific press-note page itself was not returned in the web search.
