Maharashtra is considering asking the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend the October 26 deadline for filing claims and objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, after drought and migration made it difficult for some voters to complete the process. No formal request or extension has been announced yet, and citizens have been advised to continue submitting applications.
Senior revenue officials told the Times of India that farmers and rural households facing water scarcity, agricultural losses and the need to travel for work may struggle to approach booth-level officers, arrange supporting documents and file applications within the current timeline. The concern is particularly relevant in the large number of talukas where drought has been declared.
“The matter will be discussed with the election authorities. Meanwhile, citizens should continue to submit their applications,” a senior official said.
Any change to the deadline would require the Maharashtra government to make a formal request to the ECI. The election authority has already revised the SIR schedule several times. House-to-house enumeration began on June 30 and was originally due to end on August 8. That deadline was extended to August 17 because of operational difficulties, including heavy rain and the Ashadhi wari.
The draft electoral roll, initially scheduled for publication on August 24, was published on August 31 after being postponed. The claims-and-objections period was first scheduled to end on September 30, then extended to October 12 following a request from the state election machinery. The ECI subsequently moved the deadline to October 26.
“With these extensions already in place, and drought now declared across a large number of talukas, it is essential to consider extending the timeline further,” another revenue official said.
The final electoral roll is now scheduled for publication on November 16. It was initially planned for October 27 and was later rescheduled to November 4. The process of issuing notices and disposing of claims and objections is scheduled to continue until November 10.
The current deadline applies to Forms 6, 7 and 8. Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll, Form 7 to object to the inclusion of names or seek their deletion, and Form 8 to request corrections or changes, including a change of residence. These procedures are particularly significant for households that have moved temporarily or permanently for employment and for residents whose personal details require updating.
Around 17.73 lakh applications under the three forms have been received and are being processed. Form 6 accounts for the largest share, followed by Forms 8 and 7.
Officials said an extension could give eligible voters more time to register, correct their details or raise objections, while also allowing election personnel to process pending applications. The decision, however, rests with the ECI, and the state government would have to take up the matter formally with the commission.
