ECI Extends Voter Roll Deadlines in AP, Meghalaya Amidst Controversy

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has once again extended the schedule for the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in both Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya. This move comes after a second full Commission bench meeting in less than a week, a decision that has sparked considerable discussion.

For Andhra Pradesh, the timeline for the final publication of electoral rolls has been pushed back to October 16. Initially, the final publication was slated for September 22, then October 3, and later October 9. The notice phase and the disposal of claims and objections will now run from July 31 to October 10, allowing more time for the comprehensive process.

Similarly, Meghalaya will see its final electoral rolls published on October 26.

While the specific earlier publication date for Meghalaya wasn't mentioned, officials noted that over 90% of hearings for claims and objections had already been completed by the time the previous period ended on September 18.

This extension follows reports of internal disagreements within the Commission, with some outlets suggesting that Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi had objected to earlier SIR-linked decisions. These reports quickly fueled a political controversy, prompting opposition parties to raise questions about the ECI's operational transparency and decision-making.

However, the ECI has consistently reiterated that all its major decisions are taken unanimously, emphasizing a united front.

It's worth noting that the previous full Commission meeting on September 26 also saw the extension of SIR deadlines for Delhi and Maharashtra, indicating a broader review of the electoral roll revision process across various states.

These extensions aim to ensure accuracy and thoroughness in preparing the final voter lists.

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