
Thu Apr 02 14:10:59 UTC 2026: # Maharashtra Congress Urges Extended Timeline for Voter Roll Revision, Citing Accuracy Concerns
The Story:
The Maharashtra Congress has called for a more extended timeline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, advocating for a process lasting one and a half to two years. Citing the significant growth in the state’s voter base by 3.5 crore over the past 25 years, the party argues that rushing the revision within two to three months could compromise accuracy. A Congress delegation, led by state president Harshwardhan Sapkal, submitted a memorandum to the state CEO, outlining several demands aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent revision process.
Key Points:
- The Maharashtra Congress requests a one and a half to two-year timeline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
- The party highlights a voter base increase of 3.5 crore in the last 25 years.
- The Congress demands SIR data in multiple formats (soft copy, OCR, machine-readable, and hard copies) for political parties.
- They seek a minimum of one month for raising objections to SIR notices and seven days notice before voter deletion.
- The party insists on clear separation between census/SIR staff and prevents the SIR process from being used for citizenship verification or NRC implementation.
- The party wants lists of voters marked as “Absent, Shifted, or Dead” (ASD) should be provided in a timely manner to recognised political parties at the polling booth level.
Critical Analysis:
N/A
Key Takeaways:
- The Maharashtra Congress prioritizes accuracy in voter roll revision, fearing potential errors or manipulation if the process is rushed.
- The party seeks transparency and accessibility to voter data for political parties, enhancing oversight and accountability.
- There’s a clear concern within the Congress regarding the potential misuse of the SIR process for citizenship verification, reflecting broader anxieties about the NRC.
- The Congress’s demands suggest a strategic effort to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in Maharashtra.
Impact Analysis:
N/A