New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to consider extending the deadline for submitting enumeration forms under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of electoral rolls. The court advised the poll body to take a “sympathetic view” of requests seeking additional time, citing on-ground challenges faced by voters in multiple states.
The observation was made during a hearing on concerns raised over the ongoing SIR process. The court took note of what it described as “ground realities” affecting the ability of electors to complete the enumeration exercise within the prescribed timeline, particularly in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Kerala.
During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing before the court, highlighted the scale of the issue in Kerala. He informed the bench that nearly 25 lakh electors in the state could potentially be excluded from the electoral rolls if the current deadline for submission of enumeration forms is not extended. Sibal argued that the rigid timeline could lead to large-scale disenfranchisement.
The Supreme Court acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that the Election Commission should examine the situation carefully before taking a final decision. While the court did not issue a formal direction to extend the deadline, it emphasised that the poll body should remain mindful of the difficulties voters are facing during the revision process.
The SIR-2026 exercise is being carried out to update electoral rolls by identifying eligible voters and removing entries classified as absent, shifted, dead, or duplicate. The process requires electors to submit enumeration forms within a fixed timeframe, either directly or through Booth-Level Officers. Concerns have been raised in several states about the ability of voters to comply with these requirements, especially in densely populated or geographically challenging regions.
The court’s remarks suggest a recognition of the logistical and administrative hurdles involved in a large-scale revision exercise. By urging a sympathetic approach, the bench signalled that flexibility may be necessary to ensure that eligible voters are not excluded due to procedural constraints.
Following the submissions and initial observations, the Supreme Court adjourned the matter for further hearing. The case is now scheduled to be taken up again on January 6, when the court is expected to review developments and any response from the Election Commission.
The Election Commission has not yet publicly commented on whether it will revise the deadline. However, the Supreme Court’s observations are likely to influence deliberations within the poll body as it assesses requests from states and stakeholders.
The issue has gained significance amid wider debates over voter list revisions and concerns about the impact of large-scale deletions on electoral participation. The outcome of the January 6 hearing is expected to provide greater clarity on whether the SIR timeline will be adjusted to address these concerns.
