Election Commission Extends Voter List Revision Deadline in 12 States
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The Election Commission has extended the deadline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in 12 states, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, to December 11th, addressing concerns over potential voter disenfranchisement. This decision comes after political parties raised concerns about the feasibility of completing the process within the original timeframe.
Concerns Over Enumeration Form Returns
Initial returns showed that only approximately 85% of completed enumeration forms had been received, leaving 15% outstanding. Political parties, in a meeting convened by the Chief Electoral Officer, argued that retrieving and digitizing the remaining forms within the initial five-day window was impractical. They voiced fears that this could lead to many eligible voters being excluded from the electoral roll.
Commission Response and Digitization Efforts
Responding to these concerns, a senior official stated that 99.5% of the forms have already been distributed, with the remaining forms expected to be distributed shortly. The official assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to ensure all forms are completed and returned promptly. As of Saturday, 75.35% of the received forms had been digitized.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ratan U. Kelkar indicated the commission is prepared to assist with digitization efforts if challenges arise, and will not rigidly adhere to the submission deadline if digitization proves difficult.
Key Dates for Voter List Publication
The revised schedule for the voter list publication is as follows:
- Draft Voter List Release: December 16th
- Final Voter List Release: February 14, 2026
This extension aims to ensure a comprehensive and accurate voter list, safeguarding the democratic process and maximizing voter participation in future elections. The commission’s proactive response demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and addressing logistical challenges in the voter registration process.
