Delhi SIR: deadline extended by EC amid 93% pending hearings, low inclusion applications

The Election Commission (EC) of India on Saturday extended the deadlines for filing claims and objections and for the notice and disposal phase under Delhi’s special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with 93% of hearings pending and only 1.2 lakh applications received for inclusion against 47.56 lakh electors left out of the draft roll.

While over 16 lakh of the 33.1 lakh notices have been delivered and an equal number remain pending, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will now be required to collect documents and complete the process of recording photographs and attendance at the homes of noticees while delivering the notices, the EC directed.

According to a press release issued by the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s office, the deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended from September 30 to October 30, while the notice and disposal phase has been extended from October 29 to November 30. Both phases began simultaneously on August 31. The final electoral roll will be published on December 4.

Slow progress

Three weeks into the notice-hearing phase, 93% of hearings remain pending, with only around 2 lakh completed so far, according to data seen by The Hindu. A total of 33.1 lakh electors in the draft electoral roll, which has 97.5 lakh names, were flagged for notices over “no mapping” with the previous SIR roll and “logical discrepancies”. Progress has been slow amid a lack of clarity over the documents required and requests for rescheduling, an official said.

Meanwhile, only 1.2 lakh applications for inclusion in the electoral roll have been received since the publication of the draft roll on August 31, according to the press release. The deadline extension gives those excluded from the draft roll and electors turning 18 another month to seek inclusion in the final roll by filling Form 6 and a new declaration providing details from the previous SIR roll.

A total of 2,477 objections seeking deletion of existing names from the electoral roll have also been filed during the ongoing phase.

Clarity on home verification

Delhi Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Prashant Kumar on Saturday said detailed directions on compliance with the SIR, including whether electors would need to appear for physical hearings, would be issued in the coming week.

“There are hearings already scheduled for Sunday. That will carry on as is. BLOs were already instructed to collect documents in case of logical discrepancies and complete the process at the elector’s home. Those who wish to come can come to the centres. Starting Monday, we will issue instructions for BLOs and other officials as per the recent EC directions,” he said.