SIR notice recipients need not attend hearing; BLOs to collect documents at home

Voters who have received a notice in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR 2026) of the electoral rolls have some relief. Voters flagged with 'no mapping' or 'logical discrepancy' will no longer have to go to a hearing in person to submit documents, the office of Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.

Under revised instructions from the Election Commission of India, voters with 'no mapping' or 'logical discrepancy' who receive a hearing notice need not appear directly at the hearing. Instead, the polling-booth-level officer, the BLO, will visit the voter's home and collect the required documents and evidence.

Voters can also send their documents to the BLO on WhatsApp if they wish. In cases of 'logical discrepancy', only the documents needed to resolve that discrepancy will be sought.

When will a hearing be held? Only if the voter does not have the prescribed documents, or if a decision cannot be taken on the basis of the evidence submitted, will the electoral registration officer or assistant electoral registration officer hold a hearing. The hearing is likely to be online, and the voter or an adult member of the family can attend.

Special camps will also be held, polling booth-wise, on October 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2026, for voters who have received notices. They can submit the required documents there. Separate special camps and help desks have been ordered for the homeless, labourers, the economically weak, tribal communities, particularly PVTG groups, orphans and other vulnerable sections.

The aim of the exercise is that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral roll. If the evidence falls short, the voter will be given a chance to provide the required documents before any further action. Voters have been asked to cooperate with the verification by BLOs.

Information on SIR 2026, the electoral rolls and help centres is also available on the CEO office's official website.