Civil society groups seek two-month extension to SIR in Maharashtra
Civil society groups in Maharashtra have requested a two-month extension for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule, citing haphazard enumeration, practical difficulties for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and slow digitization of forms. They highlighted that only 22% of forms statewide and 4% in Mumbai have been digitized by mid-July, making the 30-day period insufficient.
Why it matters
The issues raised could impact voter registration accuracy and fairness in Maharashtra, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters if the process is not properly conducted and extended, undermining democratic participation.
Civil society groups on Thursday (July 16, 2026) wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking his urgent appointment for discussing a two-month extension to the SIR schedule in Maharashtra.
They have raised concerns such as alleged haphazardous and inconsistent enumeration process, the practical difficulties faced by the BLOs in undertaking the process, among others. “We have sought Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment during his upcoming visit to Mumbai and Pune to raise important concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision – Phase III, in Maharashtra,” Ulka Mahajan of Maharashtra SIR Jagruti Abhiyan told The Hindu .
The platform consists of 20 different organisations working across Maharashtra. These organisations had written to the Election Commission on July 10 as well.
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