New Delhi, 15 October (H.S.): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed 17 states and Union Territories to undertake a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of their electoral rolls, with January 1, 2027, designated as the qualifying date for updating voter lists. The exercise will also allow advance applications from eligible citizens for three additional qualifying dates in 2027.

The Election Commission has issued letters containing the instructions to the Chief Electoral Officers of the concerned states and Union Territories. The objective of the SSR is to ensure that eligible citizens who have been left out of the electoral rolls, young voters and those becoming eligible to vote for the first time are registered.

The states and Union Territories covered by the exercise are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

Advance Applications for Three Additional Qualifying Dates

According to the Commission’s letter, the decision follows the instructions issued on September 29, 2026. Under the revised arrangements, advance applications will also be accepted from eligible citizens for the qualifying dates of April 1, July 1 and October 1, 2027.

The Commission stated that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has not yet commenced in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Taking local weather conditions into account, the schedule for the revision in these regions will be announced at an appropriate time.

### Election Commission Announces Revision Schedule

Under the announced schedule, the rationalisation and rearrangement of polling stations must be completed by November 2, 2026. Publication of the integrated draft electoral rolls is scheduled for November 12.

The period for filing claims and objections will run from November 12 to December 11, 2026. The process of resolving claims and objections is to be completed by December 28, after which the final electoral rolls will be published on January 4, 2027.

The exercise is intended to update electoral records and provide eligible citizens with an opportunity to ensure that their names are included in the voter lists ahead of upcoming elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar