The Election Commission of India has rejected reports of differences among its three commissioners over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying key decisions on the exercise had the approval of the full Commission.
The clarification came after reports of objections and disagreements within the poll panel over various aspects of the SIR process. The Commission said that discussions and differing views during internal deliberations did not change the final decisions taken institutionally.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi are currently serving on the three-member Commission.
EC Clarifies Position On Form 6
The Election Commission also addressed concerns surrounding Form 6, which is used for inclusion of names in electoral rolls.
The poll body said the statutory Form 6 had not been altered. According to the clarification, Annexure D was added alongside the existing form as part of the SIR process, rather than replacing or modifying the statutory form.
The issue had become a point of political debate, with opposition parties questioning changes linked to the electoral roll revision exercise.
SIR Deadlines Extended In Delhi, Maharashtra
The Commission has also extended the deadline for filing claims and objections under SIR in Delhi and Maharashtra.
In Delhi, voters will now have until October 30, 2026, to file claims and objections. In Maharashtra, the revised deadline is October 12. The deadline for disposal of such cases has also been extended in both states.
The Maharashtra deadline was extended by 12 days from September 30 to October 12, according to current reporting.
BLOs To Visit Voters In Goa
The Commission has also directed Booth Level Officers in Goa to conduct house-to-house visits to voters who were left out of the electoral rolls.
The move is intended to help eligible voters complete the required process for inclusion. The Commission said BLOs would assist in collecting documents and completing the necessary formalities.
Opposition Raises Concerns, BJP Allies Back EC
Opposition parties have continued to raise questions over the SIR exercise, particularly over the possibility of eligible voters being left out of electoral rolls and the documents required during the verification process.
The BJP and some of its NDA allies, meanwhile, have backed the Election Commission’s clarification and said the explanation reinforces the functioning of the constitutional institution.
The latest clarification comes as the SIR process remains a politically contested issue, with the Election Commission maintaining that decisions concerning the exercise have been taken through the full Commission.
