The Election Commission of India has extended the schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by 10 to 12 days across several states, including Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, and Punjab. This adjustment affects the third phase of the revision process, which covers 16 states and Union Territories with a combined voter base of 36.73 crore people.
Revised Timelines for Voter List Finalization
According to the Election Commission, the extensions apply to both house-to-house enumeration and the publication of draft and final electoral rolls. In Karnataka, the enumeration period now concludes on August 8, with the final voter list scheduled for release on September 18. Delhi will see its final list published on October 19, while Telangana and Punjab are set to release their final lists on October 12.
The poll body also confirmed that the rationalisation and re-arrangement of polling stations in Karnataka will coincide with the new August 8 deadline for enumeration. These changes follow a similar rescheduling for Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, which was announced on July 14.
Did You Know? The ongoing third phase of the electoral roll revision is a nationwide effort covering 16 states and Union Territories, excluding only Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Current Status of Electoral Roll Data
The Election Commission has already published draft electoral rolls for six states and Union Territories during this phase: Odisha, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu. Data from these regions indicates that 32.08 lakh names—roughly 7.09% of the 4.52 crore voters in those areas—have been deleted from the rolls.
Future Scheduling and Remaining Regions
The remaining states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh are currently excluded from the ongoing third phase of the SIR. The Election Commission stated that the schedule for these regions will be determined after the completion of the Phase-II Census. Officials will also factor in weather conditions, particularly for snow-bound areas and higher altitudes, when announcing those specific dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the SIR schedule extended?
The Election Commission of India revised the calendar for several states, including Karnataka, Delhi, Telangana, and Punjab, by 10-12 days to accommodate the ongoing house-to-house enumeration and polling station rationalization processes.
When will the final voter lists be released in the affected states?
The final lists are now scheduled for September 18 in Karnataka, October 12 in Telangana and Punjab, and October 19 in Delhi.
Which regions are excluded from this phase of the revision?
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh are not included in the current third phase; their schedules remain pending based on Census progress and weather conditions.
How do you believe these schedule adjustments will impact voter participation in your region?
