ECI Extends Bengal SIR Deadlines Following SC Order
ECI Extends Bengal SIR Deadlines Following SC Order
ECI extends SIR hearings in West Bengal to Feb 14 with final voter rolls now due Feb 28, after Supreme Court directive and CEO request.
The Election Commission of India has extended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings in West Bengal to February 14, 2026, following a Supreme Court directive and a formal request from the state's Chief Electoral Officer. The revised schedule also shifts the publication of the final electoral rolls to February 28. Previously, the SIR hearings were slated to conclude by February 7, and the final rolls were to be published by February 14. The extension aims to give election officials more time to review documents submitted by those affected and ensure a thorough scrutiny process.
The Supreme Court, in a division bench, directed that at least one week beyond February 14 be granted to EROs/AEROs to complete the scrutiny of the documents and take a decision. In compliance with this direction, the Election Commission issued an official notification to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, outlining the revised dates: February 14 for completing SIR hearings, February 21 for scrutiny of documents and disposal, and February 28 for the publication of final electoral rolls.
Officials say the Bengal SIR exercise is in its final phase, with only a small fraction of hearings remaining. The West Bengal CEO indicated progress and noted the extension will help ensure that all affected individuals have their documents properly examined before a final decision is made. The move has been welcomed by political actors as a mechanism to safeguard the integrity of the revision process.
The development comes as West Bengal prepares for elections this year, with authorities emphasizing adherence to constitutional processes and fair play in the revision of voter rolls. The extended timeline is designed to align with judicial guidance while maintaining momentum toward publishing the final rolls on schedule.
What happens next is a continued focus on scrutiny and document disposal over the coming weeks, culminating in the release of the final electoral lists on February 28, as directed by the court and carried out by the EC.
