Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) In the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls 2026 across Assembly Constituencies in Maharashtra, out of the State’s total 9,78,54,049 electors, Enumeration Forms have been distributed to 9,69,54,766 voters (99.08%).
However, only 7,60,98,153 forms (77.77%) have been returned, signed and digitised, the State Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam informed at the press conference. He was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting with the political parties.
However, a total of 1,80,60,697 forms (18.46%) remain uncollected under the ASDD category—representing electors who are Absent, Shifted, Deceased, or Duplicate (ASDD). Action remains pending for 36,95,199 electors (3.78%). Maharashtra may see the deletion of voters of around 1.80 crore from the draft voters list. “The number is not unusual, and we have seen deletion of around 13-18 per cent at national level in other states,” said Chockalingam.
He said that these voters, who face deletion, can submit Form 6 for registration of voters.
Election authorities noted that the proportion of ASDD electors is particularly high in urban centres, specifically in Thane, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Palghar, and Raigad districts. In Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban districts, 63 per cent have been digitised while 30 percent remain uncollected under the ASDD category—representing electors who are Absent, Shifted, Deceased, or Duplicate. Under the updated timeline, the deadline for collecting Enumeration Forms (EF) from electors is set for August 17, 2026.
The Draft Electoral Roll will subsequently be published on August 24, 2026, opening a month-long window until September 23, 2026, for citizens to file claims and objections. The final publication of the electoral rolls is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
To prevent eligible electors from being left off the roll, District Election Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to enforce strict verification protocols. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct joint meetings with political party Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and provide them with the ASDD lists.
BLOs and BLAs will also conduct door-to-door visits at designated residences to assist in form collection. Meeting minutes must be logged and uploaded on ECINET via the BLO App, while ASDD lists will be published on official district websites. Authorities explicitly noted that voters who refuse to accept, sign, or submit the Enumeration Form will not be included in the Draft Electoral Roll.
To prevent duplicate entries across electoral rolls, the commission is utilising Photo Similar Entries (PSE) and Data Similar Entries (DSE) checks. Where an elector appears at multiple locations, their enumeration form will only be accepted at their current primary residence, while other entries will be flagged with the remark “Already Enrolled” under the Uncollectable EF category.
Under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, making a false statement or declaration in connection with electoral rolls is a punishable offense carryable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine, or both. Sections 17 and 18 strictly prohibit registration in more than one place. Copies of the Draft Electoral Roll (hard and soft copies) will be made available at government offices, district websites, the Chief Electoral Officer’s portal, and distributed to recognised political parties.
Eligible citizens whose names do not appear on the draft, as well as new voters turning 18 on or before October 1, 2026, can apply for inclusion using Form 6 during the claims period. Objections to any entry in the draft roll must be submitted using Form 7.
Furthermore, the State Election Commission has directed local body authorities to extend full cooperation, as these assembly rolls will also be utilised for upcoming Local Authority elections.
–IANS
sj/uk