New Delhi, November 7, 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a fresh opportunity for voters excluded from draft electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to seek re-enrolment. The decision is particularly significant for Delhi, where approximately 47.56 lakh voters were left out of the draft electoral roll published on August 31.
The new instructions, issued on November 6, allow eligible voters to submit fresh enumeration forms without necessarily going through the regular voter registration procedure.
Election Commission Offers Another Chance to Excluded Voters
The Election Commission’s decision covers voters marked as absent, shifted, deceased, duplicate or other categories during the revision process.
These classifications resulted in large numbers of names being excluded from draft electoral rolls.
The new opportunity allows people who were wrongly classified or whose details could not be verified to establish their eligibility for inclusion in the final voter lists.
Importantly, exclusion from a draft roll does not automatically mean permanent removal from the electoral register.
Nearly 47.56 Lakh Voters Excluded in Delhi
Delhi had approximately 1.45 crore registered voters before the SIR exercise began.
However, the draft electoral roll released on August 31 contained around 97.5 lakh names.
Approximately 47.56 lakh voters were excluded after election officials were unable to collect or verify their enumeration forms.
The exclusions triggered concerns about eligible citizens losing their ability to vote if their names were not restored before the final roll was published.
Seven States Covered Under New Directions
The new instructions apply to seven states and regions undergoing the third phase of the SIR exercise:
- Delhi
- Maharashtra
- Haryana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Jharkhand
- Telangana
- Nagaland
Election authorities in these regions have been directed to help eligible voters who were excluded from their draft rolls.
Officials will also conduct outreach to identify people who may have been left out incorrectly.
Voters Can Submit Fresh Enumeration Forms
Under the revised process, affected voters can submit an enumeration form along with a declaration explaining their circumstances.
Those who have not changed their address must provide the appropriate declaration explaining why their details were not collected earlier.
Voters who have relocated within Delhi can submit a declaration containing their new residential details and supporting documents.
Unlike the earlier procedure, eligible voters in these categories do not necessarily need to submit Form 6 or Form 8.
People who have already submitted Form 6 during the revision period do not need to apply again.
Election Commission to Restore Original Voter ID Numbers
The Election Commission has clarified that eligible voters successfully restored to the final electoral roll will retain their original Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers.
This provision is intended to avoid unnecessary duplication of voter records.
Fresh enumeration forms can be obtained through election officials or accessed using the ECI’s online services.
Voters will need to provide relevant personal and electoral details to complete the verification process.
Booth-Level Officers to Conduct Door-to-Door Verification
Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) have been directed to contact excluded voters and help them complete the necessary documentation.
Election officials may coordinate with residential welfare associations, neighbours and political parties’ Booth-Level Agents to identify eligible citizens.
Voters can also seek assistance from their Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer.
The ECI’s online platform and ECINET application provide additional options for accessing electoral services.
Delhi’s Final Electoral Roll Expected in December
The Election Commission has extended the schedule for completing Delhi’s electoral roll revision.
According to the latest official information, the deadline for filing claims and objections is November 25, 2026.
Election officials are expected to complete the disposal of applications by December 15.
The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on December 22, 2026.
These dates provide affected residents with an additional opportunity to establish their eligibility before the final list is prepared.
Supreme Court Had Suggested Additional Opportunity
The Election Commission’s decision follows observations by the Supreme Court concerning the exclusion of voters during the SIR exercise.
The court had suggested that eligible citizens left out of draft electoral rolls should have a further opportunity to establish their eligibility.
The latest directions establish a special procedure for such applications and require election officials to provide assistance.
What Should Excluded Voters Do?
Citizens who cannot find their names in the draft electoral roll should verify their status through the official Election Commission website or contact their local election office.
Eligible voters can obtain the relevant enumeration form, complete the required declaration and submit supporting information where necessary.
Those who have moved within Delhi should approach the electoral registration authorities in their new Assembly constituency.
Applicants should complete the process before the applicable deadline and verify whether their names appear in the final electoral roll.
Decision Aims to Protect Eligible Voters
The Election Commission’s latest decision comes amid scrutiny of the scale of voter exclusions during the nationwide SIR exercise.
By allowing fresh enumeration forms and restoring original voter identification numbers, the Commission has created an additional route for eligible citizens to regain their place on electoral rolls.
The move could benefit thousands of voters in Delhi and other affected regions who were excluded because of verification or documentation issues.
However, final inclusion will depend on the completion of the prescribed eligibility checks.
Source: The Indian Express, November 7, 2026; PTI, November 6, 2026; The Economic Times
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