Mumbai will hold special voter registration camps on September 19, 20, 26 and 27 for citizens whose names are missing from the draft electoral rolls, but two of the four dates coincide with Ganeshotsav and Gauri immersion, raising concerns about whether residents will be able to access the service.
The camps will be organised at designated locations across all Assembly constituencies in Mumbai city and Mumbai suburban districts. The exercise is part of the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, under which the draft voter list was published on August 31.
Citizens whose names do not appear in the draft list, or who have objections to existing entries, can submit claims and objections until September 30, 2026. The special camps are intended to make that process easier for residents before the deadline.
The camps will accept applications from new voters and eligible citizens whose names have not been included in the electoral roll. Officials will also process requests to correct existing entries and applications seeking deletion of names from the list, according to the information issued for the drive.
However, the timing of the first two camps has created an access concern. September 19 and 20 fall during Ganeshotsav, while Gauri immersion is also scheduled for September 19. Many Mumbai residents are expected to travel to their native places during the festival period, potentially reducing participation in the initial camps.
The issue is particularly relevant for first-time voters and eligible residents who may already face difficulties navigating the registration and correction process. With the claims and objections window closing on September 30, the four designated camp dates represent a limited in-person opportunity for citizens seeking assistance.
Ashwini Bhide, Mumbai’s district election officer and Municipal Commissioner, has appealed to voters to use the special camps. The supplied report does not specify whether additional dates, extended timings or alternative arrangements will be provided for residents unable to attend the September 19 and 20 camps.
The next scheduled opportunities for in-person assistance are September 26 and 27, followed by the September 30 deadline for submitting claims and objections.
