September 30 new deadline for filing claims, objections to SIR in Jharkhand

Congress leaders submitting a memorandum to election officials seeking an extension of the deadline for claims, objections and hearings under the SIR of electoral rolls in Jharkhand. (Express photo)

The deadline for filing claims and objections under Jharkhand’s SIR of electoral rolls has been extended for the second and final time, with eligible citizens now getting time till September 30 to seek inclusion or correction in the draft voter list.

The initial deadline was September 4, which was extended to September 15, Tuesday.

When the draft electoral roll was published on August 5, the names of 43,61,987 voters were left out under the categories of absent, shifted, dead and duplicate (ASDD). Of these, 7,63,903 were classified as dead, 15,92,194 as shifted, 14,50,810 as absent or untraceable and 68,283 as duplicate.

The Election Commission (EC) had also said notices would be issued to 63,24,116 voters for hearings as part of the claims and objections process.

The CEO’s office said on Tuesday that the deadline has once again been extended to September 30 in view of requests received from various stakeholders, and the number of Forms 6, 7 and 8 being received.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar said eligible Indian citizens whose names are missing from the draft electoral roll can submit Form 6 along with the required declaration through ECINET or through their Booth Level Officer (BLO) by September 30.

Form 7 can be used to file an objection or seek deletion of a name on prescribed grounds while Form 8 can be used for corrections, change of address or shifting a voter’s registration.

‘Form 7 doesn’t mean automatic deletion’

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The CEO said filing a Form 7 does not automatically result in deletion of a voter’s name. The Electoral Registration Officer has to follow the prescribed process, including inquiry and hearing, before taking a final decision.

Last week, Congress leaders, including state general secretary and SIR convener Suryakant Shukla, had submitted a memorandum to election officials, seeking an extension.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Shukla said, “We had submitted the memorandum on September 11 seeking an extension.”

He said the party had been seeking more time so that the claims and objections could be dealt with properly and eligible voters were not left out of the electoral roll.

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The CEO, meanwhile, appealed to eligible citizens not to wait until the last date and complete the process before September 30.

He said the objective of the SIR was to ensure that no eligible Indian citizen was left out of the electoral roll and no ineligible person was included.

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Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More