The Election Commission (EC) has released a revised schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across six states, adjusting key dates for draft and final publication. The updated timeline affects Delhi, Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh, with specific qualifying dates assigned to each region to manage the voter registration process.
Updated Electoral Roll Schedules by State
The EC’s revised schedule reflects different operational requirements for each state based on their respective qualifying dates. In Delhi and Karnataka, which utilize a July 1 and October 1 qualifying date respectively, the draft roll will be published on August 17, followed by the final roll on October 19. Telangana and Punjab, both using an October 1 qualifying date, are now set to publish their draft rolls on August 10 and August 13, respectively, with final rolls due on October 12.
Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, both operating under a July 1 qualifying date, have seen their timelines shifted to accommodate an extension. Their draft rolls are now scheduled for July 31, with the final publication date set for October 3.
Did You Know?
The ongoing Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision exercise is currently active across 16 states and three Union Territories, aiming to refine voter databases by removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent, or foreign entries.
Extended Deadlines in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh
The changes for Haryana and Andhra Pradesh follow a 10-day extension granted by the Election Commission to the ongoing SIR exercise. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in these states will continue house-to-house visits to collect enumeration forms until July 24, extending the previous deadline of July 14.
The timeline for handling claims and objections has also been modified. Voters in these two states can now file claims and objections between July 31 and August 30, with the disposal process running until September 28. Consequently, the final electoral rolls for Haryana and Andhra Pradesh will be published on October 3, moving from the original target of September 22.
New Requirements for Form 6 Applicants
Beyond schedule adjustments, the Election Commission has implemented a mandatory declaration for all new applicants using Form 6. Applicants are now required to provide details related to their parents’ existing SIR records to be included in the electoral rolls. According to EC officials, this requirement is designed to improve the efficiency of elector mapping. Users of the online Form 6 portal will be unable to finalize their submissions without completing this specific declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Special Intensive Revision?
The SIR aims to update electoral rolls by including eligible voters while simultaneously removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, absent, and foreign voters.
Why was the deadline extended for Haryana and Andhra Pradesh?
The EC extended the exercise by 10 days to allow voters more time to submit their enumeration forms, which included extending the window for BLOs to conduct house-to-house visits.
Are new applicants required to provide additional information?
Yes, new applicants using Form 6 must now provide details regarding their parents’ SIR records, a step the EC states is mandatory for completing the online application process.
How will these updated timelines impact the accessibility of the voter registration process for residents in these six states?