Election Commission orders photo roll revision in 17 states by 2027

This is an official directive from the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordering a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of photo electoral rolls in 17 specified states and union territories to enroll eligible voters and update records with a qualifying date of 1 January 2027. It matters to citizens as it defines the timeline for adding new voters, correcting existing entries, and the specific procedures for polling station rationalization.

Who it concerns: The directive concerns the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. It also impacts eligible citizens in these regions who are un-enrolled, turning 18 on 1 January 2027, or seeking to update their voter details.

What the election office says

• The ECI directs the revision of electoral rolls under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with 1 January 2027 as the primary qualifying date.
• The schedule includes: Rationalization of polling stations by 2 November 2026; Publication of draft rolls on 12 November 2026; Claims and objections period from 12 November to 11 December 2026; Disposal of claims by 28 December 2026; and Final publication of rolls on 4 January 2027.
• State Chief Secretaries are directed to ensure adequate manpower and resources for election officers and to prevent the transfer of officials involved in the SSR without prior ECI approval between the publication of draft and final rolls.
• Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) must ensure no eligible citizen is left out and no ineligible person is included, specifically targeting un-enrolled citizens, those turning 18 on 1 Jan 2027, and those eligible on subsequent dates (1 April, 1 July, 1 October 2027).
• Polling stations must be rationalized such that no station has more than 1,200 electors without ECI approval, and electors should not have to travel more than 2 km or cross natural barriers to reach their station.
• Family members residing at the same door/flat number must be kept in the same section and polling station.
• Aadhaar number submission is voluntary; applications for enrollment or deletion cannot be denied or processed solely based on the inability to furnish Aadhaar.
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD) information is optional in Forms 6 and 8, must be flagged in the database for facility provision, but must not be reflected in the public electoral roll.

Also in the document

• States where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is ongoing or completed (e.g., Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra) will have their SSR schedule announced later.
• The SSR schedule for Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh will be announced later, taking weather conditions into account.
• EROs are required to remove blurred, non-standard, or poor-quality photos and capture new standard photos for electors.
• Help Desks must be set up at district or assembly constituency levels to facilitate enrollment for migrant, vulnerable, and marginalized persons.
• Special camps may be organized for people living in night shelters, labor colonies, and homeless individuals.