Election Commission Extends Electoral Roll Revision Schedule for Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (EC) has announced a formal extension to the timeline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya. This administrative adjustment shifts the deadline for the final publication of voter lists, providing more time for officials to process claims and objections within these regions.

According to the latest directive from the poll panel, the final voter list for Andhra Pradesh is now slated for publication on October 16, whereas the revised date for Meghalaya has been set for October 26. These dates represent a shift from the previously announced schedule of October 9 and October 21, respectively.

Adjustments in Administrative Timelines

The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

In Andhra Pradesh, the window for submitting and disposing of claims and objections—which commenced on July 31—has been extended until October 10. While the Commission has confirmed the final publication date for Meghalaya, it has notably refrained from providing specific revised deadlines for the disposal of objections or offering a detailed justification for the broader schedule shift in that state.

Addressing Internal Deliberations

The latest procedural updates follow a period of internal discourse within the Election Commission. Reports had previously surfaced regarding concerns raised by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi concerning the mechanics of the revision exercise. Specifically, these concerns touched upon modifications to voter enrolment documentation and the operational efficacy of the electoral-roll-management software.

In response to these developments, the full commission met on September 26 to reaffirm that all ongoing orders regarding the SIR process carry the unanimous support of all three commissioners. During that session, the panel clarified that the additional declaration mandated for Form 6 would remain in effect for the duration of the SIR. However, it also stated that standard statutory forms, as defined by the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960, would remain the primary instruments during non-SIR periods.

Broader Context of Electoral Revisions

The Commission has been actively conducting the third phase of its intensive revision program across 16 states and three Union territories, covering an electorate of approximately 36.73 crore people.

This is not the first time the EC has opted to modify its timeline during this cycle. The publication dates for final electoral rolls have been similarly extended in several other states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, Odisha, Haryana, and Punjab.

This pattern of schedule adjustments is consistent with the Commission’s approach in previous phases of the SIR, where periodic changes were frequently necessitated by a range of operational requirements and regional logistical factors. By extending these deadlines, the poll panel aims to ensure greater accuracy and inclusivity in the electoral process, maintaining the integrity of the voter rolls ahead of future electoral cycles.

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