SIR schedule revised for Maharashtra, extended by 10 days

The Election Commission of India on Friday (July 17, 2026) announced an extension to the current timeline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) implementation in Maharashtra by ten days. The revision of electoral rolls will continue till August 8 instead of July 29. The decision comes two days after the Maharashtra State Election Commission had written to the Election Commission seeking an extension.

“We had written to the Election Commission on July 15, seeking an extension on two grounds. The first was that there was heavy rainfall in Mumbai and in the Konkan region at the beginning of July. Due to this, the work of the BLOs had started late. Secondly, it is a period of Ashadhi Vaari [a religious pilgrimage to Pandharpur undertaken by lakhs of devotees]. Due to this ongoing Ashadhi Ekadashi Vaari, the regions like Pune, Sangli, and Solapur will lose at least seven to 10 days. The entire administrative machinery will be diverted to the Vaari only. Against this background, we had sent a proposal to the Election Commission that we need an extension to compensate for natural causes and important programmes. It has been approved today,” S. Chockalingam, Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, told The Hindu on Friday (July 17, 2026).

As per the revised schedule, the draft voter list will be published on August 17, and the final list will be published on October 19.

“As per the revised schedule, the house-to-house visit campaign by polling station-level officers will be implemented from June 30 to August 8, 2026, and the streamlining and restructuring of polling stations will be completed by August 8. After that, the draft voter list will be published on August 17, 2026 [Monday]. Claims and objections will be accepted from voters from August 17 to September 16, 2026. Also, the process of issuing notices, conducting hearings and settling claims and actions will be completed from August 17 to September 15, 2026,” a statement issued by the government said.

‘Grossly insufficient extension’

Civil society organisations expressed dismay at the extension of 10 days, and called it ‘grossly insufficient’ for a large State like Maharashtra. “This extension is of no use. The training of BLOs, their reach is still questionable. What is the hurry? One month is grossly insufficient for a large state like Maharashtra. They just want to hold people to ransom. We have sought a two-month extension. There is no election in the State. It is only rational to extend this deadline further,” social activist Ulka Mahajan told The Hindu.

Several civil society organisations had earlier written to the Chief Election Commissioner to seek an extension. Their representatives will meet Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer on Monday (July 20, 2026) afternoon.