ECI revises SIR electoral roll schedule for Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, Telangana
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has quietly but significantly shifted the electoral roll revision calendar for four key states — Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, and Telangana — pushing final voter list publication into mid-October. With booth-level field visits extended and claims windows reset, the revised SIR schedule signals a more deliberate pace ahead of any potential election notifications in these states.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule on 15 July for Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka , and Telangana .
Final voter lists for Punjab and Telangana are now due on 12 October ; for Delhi and Karnataka , on 19 October .
Booth Level Officer (BLO) house-to-house visits in Punjab and Telangana are extended to 3 August ; in Delhi and Karnataka to 8 August .
Citizens in all four states will have a window to file claims and objections after draft publication in August 2025 .
The revision was communicated via a letter from Under Secretary Sandeep Kumar to the respective Chief Electoral Officers.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday, 15 July revised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) schedule for electoral rolls across four states and union territories — Punjab, Telangana, Delhi, and Karnataka. The revised deadlines push the final publication of voter lists to October 12 for Punjab and Telangana, and October 19 for Delhi and Karnataka.
The changes were communicated to the respective Chief Electoral Officers via a formal letter signed by Under Secretary Sandeep Kumar of the ECI.
Revised Deadlines at a Glance
For Punjab and Telangana, the final voter rolls will be published on 12 October. Delhi and Karnataka follow a week later, with final publication set for 19 October. The staggered schedule reflects differences in the pace of ground-level enumeration across the four jurisdictions.
State-wise Schedule Breakdown
In Punjab, house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) — which began on 25 June — have been extended to 3 August. Rationalisation and rearrangement of polling stations must also be completed by 3 August, after which a draft publication will be issued on 13 August. Citizens may file claims and objections between 13 August and 12 September, with disposal of those claims running through 8 October.
In Telangana, BLO visits that began on 25 June are now extended to 3 August. The draft list is due on 10 August, with the claims window open from 10 August to 9 September and disposal continuing through 8 October.
In Delhi, BLO visits that started on 30 June have been extended to 8 August. The draft publication is scheduled for 17 August, with the claims and objections period running from 17 August to 16 September and disposal through 15 October.
In Karnataka, BLO visits also started on 30 June and have been extended to 8 August, with the same draft publication date of 17 August and an identical claims window as Delhi — 17 August to 16 September — and disposal through 15 October.
What the SIR Process Involves
The Special Intensive Revision is a periodic exercise conducted by the ECI to update and cleanse electoral rolls. It involves BLOs visiting households to verify voter registrations, followed by rationalisation of polling stations, draft publication, and a public window for citizens to raise corrections or add their names. The process is critical for ensuring that voter lists accurately reflect the eligible electorate ahead of any upcoming elections.
What Happens Next
With the revised timelines now in force, the respective state election machinery is expected to accelerate BLO field visits and station rationalisation to meet the August deadlines. Citizens in all four states have until their respective claim periods to verify their registration status and submit corrections. The final rolls, once published in October, will form the basis for any elections subsequently notified in these states.
Point of View
Punjab, Karnataka, and Telangana — are politically significant makes the timing worth watching. Pushing final roll publication to mid-October narrows the window before which elections could plausibly be announced, but it also compresses the period for legal challenges to voter list accuracy. The ECI has not publicly explained the reason for the revision, and that absence of explanation is itself a detail mainstream coverage tends to skip.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists by verifying registrations through house-to-house visits by Booth Level Officers, rationalising polling stations, and allowing citizens to file claims and corrections. It ensures electoral rolls are accurate ahead of elections.
What are the new deadlines for final voter list publication?
The final electoral rolls for Punjab and Telangana will be published on 12 October, while Delhi and Karnataka will see their final voter lists published on 19 October, according to the revised ECI schedule announced on 15 July.
Why has the ECI revised the SIR schedule?
The ECI has not publicly stated the specific reason for the revision. The changes were communicated via a formal letter from Under Secretary Sandeep Kumar to the Chief Electoral Officers of the four states, extending BLO visit timelines and adjusting all subsequent milestones accordingly.
How can citizens file claims or objections about the voter list?
Citizens can file claims and objections during the designated window after draft publication — from 13 August in Punjab and Telangana, and from 17 August in Delhi and Karnataka. The disposal of claims will be completed by early to mid-October in each state.
Which states are affected by the revised SIR schedule?
The four states and union territories affected are Punjab, Telangana, Delhi, and Karnataka. All four have had their BLO visit deadlines, draft publication dates, claims windows, and final publication dates revised by the Election Commission of India.
