ECI Revises Dates for SIR for Six States

Chennai: The ECI has extended the SIR in six states -- Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andamans and Uttar Pradesh -- by five days. However, there is no extension for Goa, Gujarat, Lakshwadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal, the deadline for these states ends today. Kerala was given extension last week due to municipal polls in the state.

The Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in six states and Union territories by five days following requests from the respective Chief Electoral Officers. These states are Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Uttar Pradesh. The enumeration period for these six states and Union territories was to end on Thursday and the draft electoral rolls were to be published on December 16.

However, there is no extension for Goa, Gujarat, Lakshwadweep, Rajasthan and West Bengal. The deadline for these states ends on Thursday. Earlier, Kerala was given extension last week due to municipal polls in the state. The enumeration period for the state will end on December 18 and the draft electoral roll will be published on December 23.

Sources in ECI said the extension to the five states were given on the request of the CEOs of these states and UTs who needed more time to complete the exercise. They added the CEOs of West Bengal and other states had not sought extra time.

The enumeration period for Tamil Nadu and Gujarat has been extended till December 14 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 19. For Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the enumeration period has been extended till December 18 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 23. The enumeration period for Uttar Pradesh has been extended till December 26 and the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 31.

Meanwhile, the ECI said that to ensure that no eligible elector is left behind, new electors are being encouraged to fill Form 6 and submit it to the block level officers (BLOs) or fill the form online using the ECINet app or website to get their names included in the final electoral rolls, which will be published in February next year.