A Booth Officer (BLO) checks voters’ details during the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of voter lists in Maharashtra. File | Photo Credit: PTI
The Election Commission of India on Friday (July 17, 2026) announced an extension of the current implementation schedule of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Maharashtra by ten days. The review of voter lists will continue until August 8 instead of July 29. The decision came two days after the Maharashtra State Election Commission wrote to the Election Commission seeking an extension of the deadline.
“We wrote to the Election Commission on July 15 seeking an extension of the deadline for two reasons. Firstly, Mumbai and the Konkan region received heavy rains in early July. Due to this, the BLO work started late. Secondly, this is the period Ashadhi Vaari (a religious pilgrimage to Pandharpur undertaken by thousands of devotees). In connection with this ongoing Ashadhi Ekadashi VaariRegions like Pune, Sangli and Solapur will lose at least seven to ten days. The entire administrative machine will be transferred to Grandfather only. Against this backdrop, we have submitted a proposal to the Election Commission that we need a deferment to compensate for natural causes and important programs. It has been approved today,” said S. Chockalingam, head of the Maharashtra State Election Commission. Hindu on Friday (July 17, 2026).
According to the updated schedule, the draft voter list will be published on August 17 and the final list on October 19.
“According to the updated schedule, from June 30 to August 8, 2026, campaigning will be carried out at the homes of polling station employees, and the optimization and restructuring of polling stations will be completed by August 8. After this, a draft voter list will be published on August 17, 2026 (Monday). Claims and objections from voters will be accepted from August 17 to September 16.” Also, from August 17 to September 15, 2026, the process of issuing notices, holding hearings and settling claims and suits will be completed,” the government said in a statement.
“Totally insufficient expansion”
Civil society organizations have expressed alarm over the 10-day extension and termed it “totally insufficient” for a large state like Maharashtra. “This extension is of no use. The training of BLOs, their reach is still in question. Why rush? One month is absolutely not enough for a big state like Maharashtra. They just want to hold people to ransom. We have sought a two-month extension. There are no elections in the state. It is quite reasonable to extend this period further,” said social activist Ulka Mahajan. Hindu.
Several civil society organizations had earlier approached the Chief Election Commissioner seeking an extension. Their representatives will meet the Chief Election Commissioner of Maharashtra on Monday (July 20, 2026) afternoon.
Published – Jul 18, 2026 12:19 pm EST.