SHILLONG, SEPT 29: Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer Dr B D R Tiwari on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 and said the exercise is in its final stages with over 90 per cent hearings completed.
Holding a virtual meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and District Election Officers, EROs, AEROs and other election officials, Tiwari took stock of the district-wise status of notices and hearings.
He also held a separate meeting with representatives of recognized national and state political parties where the latest progress and recent directions of the Election Commission of India were shared.
According to the CEO, out of 21,69,243 electors in the Draft Electoral Roll, notices were issued to 6,51,735 electors on account of no mapping and logical discrepancies, of which 6,51,066 notices have been delivered and 619 are pending.
Out of the notices generated, 5,90,784 hearings have been completed which accounts for 90.65 per cent, while 910 electors have been found ineligible after following the prescribed procedure.
So far, 19,07,182 electors have been parked for final publication, he said.
Tiwari said that as per the latest direction of the Election Commission contained in Press Note No ECI/PN/120/2026 dated September 26, BLOs will now visit the homes of electors who have been issued notices for no mapping or logical discrepancies, collect the required documents and upload them on ECINET for decision by the ERO.
In such cases, electors will ordinarily not be required to visit the ERO or AERO office. He said hearing will be required only in exceptional circumstances to be decided by the ERO and such hearings should preferably be held online, with the option for an elector to authorise any adult family member to attend on his or her behalf.
He directed officials to strengthen online hearing facilities and ensure that senior citizens, persons with disabilities and those facing difficulties in travelling are appropriately facilitated.
The CEO also said the Commission has directed DEOs to set up adequate help desks and organise special camps for persons living in night shelters, labourers, economically disadvantaged persons, homeless persons and other vulnerable sections.
He asked all DEOs to assess local requirements and make arrangements so that eligible citizens needing assistance are not left out.
On the applications received during the revision, Tiwari said 23,259 forms have been received and digitised, including 12,624 Form 6 applications, 1,616 Form 7, 1,590 Form 8 for shifting and 7,429 Form 8 for correction.
He reiterated that out of the total notices, 2,22,786 relate to no mapping and 4,28,949 relate to mapping discrepancies, and clarified that receipt of notice or no mapping does not automatically lead to deletion.
He further informed that 1,814 Booth Level Agents have been appointed by political parties to participate in the exercise, including 736 by NPP, 393 by BJP, 320 by VPP, 186 by INC, 121 by UDP and 58 by AITC. He said the ECI has reiterated that any eligible person whose name is left out during SIR or young and first-time voters can apply for inclusion under continuous updation and directed officials to facilitate such enrolment through a special drive.
With the Claims and Objections period having concluded on September 18, Tiwari directed the election machinery to focus on the remaining statutory processes leading to final publication, and urged electors to check their names in the final roll through the Voters’ Service Portal or ECINET Mobile App, stating that possession of an EPIC alone does not entitle one to vote unless the name is included in the Electoral Roll.
