The final publication of electoral rolls in Haryana and Delhi has been significantly postponed due to repeated revisions of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) timetable by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Haryana’s final voter list will be delayed by two months, while Delhi’s will be postponed by two-and-a-half months from their original scheduled dates.
The Chenab Times has learned that these delays are a consequence of ongoing efforts to address concerns regarding the inclusion and exclusion of voters during the special intensive revision process. The ECI has announced special camps nationwide to assist voters whose names might have been omitted from draft lists, a move that has necessitated adjustments to the SIR schedule across numerous states and Union Territories.
In Haryana, the SIR timetable has been revised for the second time. According to a notification issued by the ECI on October 29, the period for the notice phase and the disposal of claims and objections has been extended until November 20, 2026. Consequently, the final voter list is now slated for publication on November 30, 2026. This represents a shift of over two months from the original deadline of September 22, as per the initial SIR schedule announced on May 14.
The latest rescheduling in Haryana follows a dedicated three-day drive conducted by the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) earlier this month. This drive was aimed at expediting the resolution of pending notices issued to voters under the SIR exercise, involving special camps and the collection of documents through house-to-house visits. During this initiative, 57,339 pending hearing cases were disposed of on October 7 and 8, reducing the backlog to 2,85,834 cases awaiting hearings. The initial target was to clear all pending cases by October 28, prior to the earlier November 6 deadline for the final rolls’ publication. However, the inability to meet the October 28 deadline for case clearance prompted the revision of the SIR schedule, sources indicated.
Reports suggest that approximately 44,91,923 notices were generated across Haryana concerning unmapped voters and other discrepancies, according to the CEO’s office. The deferral in clearing these cases directly impacted the timeline for finalizing the electoral rolls.
Similarly, Delhi’s final electoral rolls will be published on December 22, 2026, a delay of two-and-a-half months from the original schedule. The ECI, through a notification dated October 29, has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections until November 25, 2026. The notice phase and the subsequent disposal of claims and objections will now continue until December 15, 2026.
Under the original third-phase SIR schedule, which commenced on May 14, Delhi’s final electoral rolls were initially scheduled for publication on October 7. This date was later revised twice, first to November 4 and then to December 4. The latest notification marks the third revision, pushing the final list’s release to December 22, extending the process significantly beyond the initial target.
The rescheduling in Delhi also occurred after the CEO’s office organized special camps from late September. These camps were established to ensure the inclusion of all voters whose names had been removed from the draft rolls. Official figures indicate that around 47.5 lakh voters were reportedly excluded from the draft lists.
The Election Commission of India’s announcement of special camps across the country comes in the wake of media reports detailing internal disagreements within the poll body. Two Election Commissioners, Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, had reportedly raised concerns with the Chief Election Commissioner about issues such as the alleged centralization of the ECI’s digital platform and instances of junior officials reportedly making unilateral decisions. The SIR exercise has also encountered political scrutiny, with opposition parties, including the Congress-led INDIA bloc, and online platforms criticizing the process and demanding accountability from the ECI leadership.
The SIR exercise is a critical component of maintaining updated and accurate electoral rolls. It involves a systematic review of voter registrations, addressing discrepancies, and ensuring that eligible citizens are able to exercise their right to vote. The current delays highlight the complexities involved in managing large-scale electoral processes and the ECI’s efforts to ensure accuracy and inclusivity amidst evolving challenges.
The Chenab Times News Desk