The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the revised schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in 12 states and union territories, with several key deadlines extended by a week, a press note by the Election Commission said.
Under the revised deadline, the eligibility date for nomination has been extended to January 1, 2026. The final voter list, which was earlier scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026, will now be released on February 14, 2026.
The counting period has been extended till December 11, while rationalization and rearrangement of polling stations will also be done on the same day.
The updating of the control table and preparation of the draft roll will take place on December 12, and the draft voter list will be published on December 16.
The revised period for filing claims and objections, and notice stages (issuance, hearing, verification) will be from December 16 to January 15, 2026; The decision on calculation forms and disposal of claims and objections by EROS will be made from December 16 to February 7, 2026.
The health parameters of the voter lists will be scrutinized on February 10, 2026, and the commission’s permission will be obtained for final publication, which is scheduled for February 14.
The second phase of the SIR exercise covers Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal after the successful completion of the first phase in Bihar.
The deadline has been extended amid questions raised by opposition parties over the speed of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process. The opposition also expressed concern over the alleged deaths of 26 booth level officers (BLOs) in several states.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had alleged that Election Commission of India employees were being pressurized to complete the SIR process. He asked, “What is the hurry?”
In view of this, the Election Commission of India had earlier increased the remuneration for BLOS from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 and the payment for BLO observers involved in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000.