TFP Bureau, Raipur, February 10, 2026: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR)\u20132026 of electoral rolls in Chhattisgarh is moving into its final phase, with hearings and document verification scheduled to continue until February 14, in accordance with the directions of the Election Commission of India. The process is being carried out to ensure accurate, updated and error-free voter lists with reference to the eligibility date of January 1, 2026.<\/p>\n
The draft electoral roll under the SIR was published on December 23, 2025, following which claims and objections were invited from December 23, 2025, to January 22, 2026. Election officials said that the subsequent process of hearings and verification of documents submitted with claims and objections is currently underway and has made substantial progress across the state.<\/p>\n
As part of the revision exercise, voters whose details could not be matched with the 2003 Special Intensive Revision voter list were issued notices by the respective Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to submit supporting documents. These voters were given a full opportunity to present their case during hearings and submit any of the 13 documents prescribed by the Election Commission of India to establish eligibility. After examining the documents and hearing the applicants, EROs are taking final decisions on inclusion or correction of names in the electoral rolls. Officials stated that nearly 98 per cent of the notices issued statewide have already been heard.<\/p>\n
During the claims and objections period, eligible voters whose names were missing from the draft roll applied for inclusion using Form 6, while Form 8 was used for correction of details, and Form 7 was submitted for deletion or objection in specific cases. To ensure transparency and political consensus, weekly meetings were held at the Assembly constituency level by Electoral Registration Officers during the claims period. In these meetings, details of claims and objections received each week were shared with representatives of recognised political parties, enabling them to assist in the inclusion of eligible voters and removal of ineligible entries.<\/p>\n
Election authorities clarified that misinformation regarding large-scale deletion of names from electoral rolls is misleading. Under Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, deletion of a voter\u2019s name is permitted only under three circumstances\u2014death of the voter, permanent change of residence, or duplication of registration. No eligible voter is removed arbitrarily, officials emphasised.<\/p>\n
In case of disagreement with the decision of the Electoral Registration Officer, voters have the right to appeal as per the law. A first appeal can be made before the District Magistrate under Section 24(a) of the Act, followed by a second appeal before the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24(b), in accordance with Rule 27 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.<\/p>\n