ECINET Review: ECI Announces Measures on Voter Registration, Hearings and Electoral-Roll Verification

ECI Announces Decisions Following 26 September Meeting

The Election Commission of India issued an official press release on 26 September 2026 outlining decisions concerning electoral-roll administration, the ECINET digital system and assistance for voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision.

The release states that the Commission's meeting took place at 3 pm on 26 September. It describes measures relating to document collection, hearings, help desks, voter-registration forms and the review of election technology.

The announcement is important because electoral-roll procedures affect how citizens respond to notices, provide documents and seek inclusion in the voter list.

Document Collection and Hearings

According to the ECI statement, where a person has received a notice during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision because they are unmapped or have logical discrepancies, Booth Level Officers will visit their homes to collect documents and upload them to ECINET for consideration by the Electoral Registration Officer.

The statement says that these individuals need not routinely be called to the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer's office for a hearing. Hearings may take place in exceptional circumstances as decided by the Electoral Registration Officer, preferably online, with facilities for online hearings to be strengthened.

The Commission also stated that an adult family member may be authorised by the elector to attend a hearing on their behalf, where required.

Assistance for Vulnerable Citizens

The Commission directed District Election Officers to create adequate help desks or hold special camps, according to local requirements, for labourers, poor people and homeless citizens.

This can be important for people who face practical barriers in accessing election offices or completing paperwork.

Form 6 and Registration Procedures

The ECI's statement refers to the declaration attached to Form 6 for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision and says that it has been upheld by the Supreme Court. It further states that, outside the SIR period, the forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, will be used.

Form 6 is the prescribed application for registration as a general elector, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements and procedures.

The applicable process depends on the type of application and whether the person is dealing with an ongoing SIR or a non-SIR period.

Committee to Review ECINET

The ECI announced that a committee headed by a Senior Deputy Election Commissioner and including an independent expert from an IIT or IIIT would review ECINET to check compliance with the applicable Acts and Rules and submit a report to the Commission.

Conclusion

The ECI's 26 September 2026 press release sets out measures concerning ECINET, document verification, hearings, assistance for vulnerable citizens and voter-registration procedures during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision