The Election Commission of India has revised the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, extending the enumeration deadline to December 18 and issuing a fresh schedule for the remaining stages of the revision process. The updated timeline supersedes earlier notifications issued on October 27 and November 30, providing electors additional time to complete mandatory formalities.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer of the Union Territory, the enumeration exercise, originally scheduled to conclude on December 11, will now continue until December 18. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been directed to continue receiving duly completed forms from electors during this extended window. The CEO emphasised that those who fail to submit their enumeration forms within the revised deadline will not have their names included in the Draft Electoral Roll, which is scheduled to be published on December 23.
Under the revised schedule, the period for filing claims and objections will begin on the same day as the publication of the Draft Rolls and will remain open until January 22, 2026. During this time, voters may verify their details, seek corrections, request deletions of outdated entries or submit claims for inclusion. Officials have urged electors to review the draft rolls carefully to ensure accuracy, given the significance of the revision process in maintaining clean and error-free electoral records.
The Notice Phase, which includes issuance, hearings and verification of claims and objections, will be undertaken concurrently by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) from December 23 to February 14, 2026. Following the disposal of all claims and objections, the Final Electoral Roll will be published on February 21, 2026.
The Chief Electoral Officer underlined the importance of public cooperation during the SIR, noting that the accuracy of the electoral roll is critical to ensuring that all eligible residents are able to participate in the democratic process without hindrance. Electors who have already received forms from their BLOs have been advised to submit them promptly, rather than wait for the final days of the extended period. Officials cautioned that failure to comply may lead to exclusion from the Draft Roll.
The CEO also urged political parties to support the revision process by encouraging eligible members to complete and submit the forms on time. BLOs have been instructed to maintain active engagement with households in their respective areas and assist residents with clarifying documentation requirements. Help desks at the offices of the District Electoral Officers (DEO) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO) will also remain operational during the revision period to facilitate queries.
The Election Commission’s decision to revise the schedule follows feedback from the field regarding the need for additional time to ensure comprehensive enumeration. In several areas, workforce engagement, seasonal movement of residents and delayed submissions prompted the extension to prevent exclusion of eligible electors.
Electors encountering difficulties in submitting forms or accessing BLOs may contact the Voter Helpline at 1950, which remains active for assistance throughout the revision period. Officials said the helpline will continue to support residents with queries related to the SIR, claim submissions and the verification process.
With the updated schedule now in place, the administration expects a more streamlined and inclusive revision exercise. The extended enumeration period is seen as a measure to safeguard voter rights while promoting wider participation in the electoral process. Once completed, the revised electoral roll will serve as a foundational document for upcoming elections in the Union Territory.
