Shillong, September 1: The Election Department has extended the schedule of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), 2026 in Meghalaya by 14 days following disruptions to the claims, objections and hearing process in Shillong last month.
The revised schedule fixes September 18 as the last date for filing claims and objections, October 17 as the last date for disposal of claims and objections, notices and hearings, and October 21 for the final publication of the electoral roll.
The decision was reviewed during an online meeting chaired by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Meghalaya, with Deputy Commissioners/District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and other election officials.
According to the Election Department, 6,51,735 notices have so far been generated under the SIR exercise, of which 5,71,989 have been delivered to the concerned electors.
A total of 1,29,298 hearings, representing 19.84 per cent of the notices generated, have been conducted across the state. Of these, 297 electors were found ineligible following verification and hearing.
The CEO directed officials to examine every case individually and strictly follow the prescribed procedure. Electors who receive notices must be given adequate opportunity to appear, clarify discrepancies and furnish supporting documents.
The Election Department also reiterated that no name appearing in the Draft Electoral Roll should be deleted without due process, including issuance of notice, inquiry and a fair and reasonable opportunity of hearing.
Meanwhile, claims and objections as well as hearings under the SIR resumed in East Khasi Hills district from August 31 after being temporarily disrupted due to the prevailing law and order situation.
The district election machinery has been asked to ensure that electors affected by the disruption are given adequate opportunity to participate in the hearing process and that pending cases are taken up within the revised timeline.
The review also found that 2,22,786 electors fall under the “No Mapping” category, while 4,28,858 electors have mapping discrepancies, bringing the total number of cases requiring verification to 6,51,644.
The mapping discrepancies include mismatches in the elector’s name or parent’s name compared with SIR 2005 records, unusual age differences between electors and parents or grandparents, gaps of less than nine months between siblings linked to the same parent, and more than six children linked to the same parent.
The CEO also reviewed applications under Form 6 for inclusion, Form 7 for objection or deletion and Form 8 for shifting and correction of particulars.
Political parties and their Booth Level Agents were urged to continue assisting electors in checking their names and particulars in the Draft Electoral Roll, responding to notices, attending hearings and filing appropriate claims and objections.
The Election Department advised electors whose names are already in the Draft Electoral Roll and correctly mapped with SIR 2005 that no further action is required. Those who receive a hearing notice have been asked not to ignore it and to attend with the necessary documents. Electors whose names are not included in the Draft Electoral Roll may still apply for inclusion through Form 6 during the extended claims and objections period.
