Maharashtra is considering asking the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend the October 26 deadline for claims and objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, as drought, water scarcity and migration could prevent some voters from completing the process on time.
No decision to formally seek another extension has been announced. Election officials said any further change would require a request from the state government to the ECI. In the meantime, citizens have been asked to continue submitting applications under Forms 6, 7 and 8.
Senior revenue officials told the Times of India that farmers and rural households in drought-affected areas may face difficulty approaching booth-level officers, arranging supporting documents and filing applications before the current deadline. Many residents are also dealing with agricultural losses, water shortages and the need to travel in search of employment.
“With a large number of talukas affected by drought, the state may need to assess whether voters require additional time to complete the process,” a senior revenue official was quoted as saying. Another official said the matter would be discussed with election authorities while urging citizens to continue filing their applications.
The SIR exercise involves checking and updating electoral roll details. Form 6 is used to apply for inclusion in the electoral roll, Form 7 to object to the inclusion of a name or seek its deletion, and Form 8 to request corrections or changes, including a change of residence. These provisions are particularly relevant to households affected by migration, where changes in residence can complicate access to voter services.
The schedule has already been revised several times. House-to-house enumeration began on June 30 and was originally due to conclude on August 8. The deadline was extended to August 17 because of operational difficulties, including heavy rain and the Ashadhi wari. Publication of the draft electoral roll was moved from August 24 to August 31.
The claims-and-objections period was initially scheduled to end on September 30. It was first extended to October 12 following a request from the state election machinery, and the ECI subsequently extended it to October 26. The current process also includes issuing notices and disposing of claims and objections, scheduled to continue until November 10.
The final electoral roll was initially scheduled for publication on October 27. It was later rescheduled to November 4 and then to November 16. Officials said a further extension could give eligible voters more time to register, correct their details or raise objections, while allowing election authorities to process pending applications. The decision, however, rests with the ECI and would require the state government to take up the matter formally.
Around 17.73 lakh applications under Forms 6, 7 and 8 have been received and are being processed. Form 6 accounts for the largest share, followed by Form 8 and Form 7. The October 26 deadline remains in force unless the ECI announces another revision.
