SIR schedule revised for Maharashtra, extended by 10 days

Booth Level Officer (BLO) verifies voter details during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Maharashtra. File | Photo credit: PTI

The Election Commission of India on Friday (July 17, 2026) announced an extension of ten days to the existing timeline for implementation of Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Maharashtra. The revision of electoral rolls will continue until August 8 instead of July 29. The decision comes two days after the Maharashtra State Election Commission wrote to the Election Commission for an extension.

“We wrote to the Election Commission on July 15 to seek an extension for two reasons. The first was that there were heavy rains in Mumbai and the Konkan region in early July. Because of this, the work of the BLOs started late. Second, it is the period of Ashadhi Vaari (religious pilgrimage to Pandharpur, which is going on). Pune, Sangli and Solapur will lose at least 7 to 10 days. The entire administrative machinery will be diverted to Vaari only. Na based on this, we sent a proposal to the Election Commission that we need an extension to compensate for natural causes and important programs, it was approved today,” said S. Chockalingam, Chief Electoral Officer of The Maharashly,2.

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

“According to the revised schedule, a door-to-door polling station-level campaign by officials 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 released on August 17, 2026 (Monday). 16 Complaints and objections will be accepted. 2026. From August 17 to September 15 2026, the process of issuing notices, conducting hearings and handling claims and suits will also be completed,” said a statement issued by the government.

“Whole lack of expansion”

Civil society organizations have expressed dismay at the 10-day extension, calling it “grossly inadequate” for a large state like Maharashtra. “This extension is of no use. BLO training, their reach is still questionable. What is the rush? One month is grossly insufficient for a big state like Maharashtra. They just want to hold people to ransom. We tried for an extension of two months. There are no elections in the state. It is only rational to extend this deadline,” social activist Ulka Mahajan told The Hindu.

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

Published – 18 Jul 2026 12:19 IST