NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently announced a revision and extension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule for electoral rolls in five states and one Union Territory (UT), giving election officials and voters more time to complete crucial updates ahead of upcoming polls. 

Under the revised timeline, the deadline for conducting the SIR — a detailed process of updating, verifying and correcting voter lists — has been extended by about a week to several weeks in the following regions: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (UT). 

Draft electoral rolls in these regions are expected to be published shortly after the extended SIR periods, with subsequent phases for filing claims, objections and finalisation continuing into early 2026. 

The ECI’s decision follows requests from Chief Electoral Officers of the states and UT, who sought additional time to ensure voter lists are comprehensive and accurate — especially to include eligible voters and correct errors prior to future elections. 

In states and UTs where the SIR timeline was not extended — such as Goa, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal — the enumeration period concludes as earlier scheduled, with draft rolls due for publication on December 16. 

The Commission has urged residents, particularly new electors and first-time voters, to submit Form 6 along with necessary declarations to booth-level officers or via the ECINet portal/app to ensure their names are included in the final electoral rolls. 

The extensions are part of the ECI’s ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral rolls nationwide in preparation for major elections, including assembly polls scheduled in 2026.