Maharashtra Government Considers Extension for Voter Claims Deadline
Amid drought and migration challenges, Maharashtra may request an extension for filing claims under the Special Intensive Revision.
The Maharashtra government is contemplating extending the October 26 deadline for voter claims.
Drought conditions and migration hinder voters' ability to submit necessary documents.
Over 17.73 lakh applications have been received under various forms for electoral registration.
In light of ongoing drought conditions and significant migration, the Maharashtra government is evaluating the possibility of extending the deadline for filing claims and objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, originally set for October 26. Officials have indicated that the challenges posed by water scarcity and agricultural losses may prevent many voters from completing the necessary procedures in time.
Election officials have clarified that any extension would necessitate a formal request from the state government to the Election Commission of India (ECI). As of now, no official decision has been made regarding this request. Senior revenue officials have expressed concerns that farmers and rural households facing difficulties may struggle to approach booth-level officers (BLOs) and gather the required documentation to submit their applications before the deadline.
The SIR process has already seen multiple revisions. The enumeration exercise commenced on June 30 and was initially slated to conclude on August 8, but was extended to August 17 due to operational challenges, including heavy rainfall. The publication of the draft electoral roll was postponed from August 24 to August 31, and the claims-and-objections period was extended from September 30 to October 12, and subsequently to October 26, following requests from state election officials.
Given the current drought situation affecting numerous talukas, officials believe it is crucial to reassess the timeline for the claims process. The final electoral roll publication has also been rescheduled multiple times, now set for November 16, with the processing of claims and objections continuing until November 10. The current deadline pertains to Forms 6, 7, and 8, which are used for various purposes including registration and corrections.
An extension could potentially provide eligible voters with additional time to register or amend their details, while also allowing election officials to manage the backlog of applications. However, the ultimate decision lies with the ECI, and the state government will need to formally address this issue with the commission. To date, approximately 17.73 lakh applications have been received under the relevant forms, with Form 6 representing the majority of submissions.
