CEOSikkim announces publication of SIR Draft Electoral Roll; claims and objections open till Aug 4

GANGTOK,  (IPR): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sikkim, Raj Kumar Yadav, today announced the publication of the Draft Electoral Roll under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026.

Addressing a press conference held at the Office of the CEO, at Baluwakhani, Gangtok, the Chief Electoral Officer briefed media on the outcome of the Enumeration Phase conducted from May 30 to June 28, 2026. He informed that Enumeration Forms were received from 4,33,294 electors out of a total electorate of 4,71,018. He credited the coordinated efforts of District Election Officers of all six districts, 32 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 37 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 75 Additional AEROs, 572 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deployed across 623 polling stations, and the active participation of recognised political parties through their 895 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for the strong public participation.

The Draft Electoral Roll has been published in print and digital formats and made available to recognised political parties for scrutiny and verification. It has also been uploaded on the websites of the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officers for public access.

Claims and objections will remain open from July 5 to August 4. During this period, eligible electors can seek inclusion of their names in the electoral roll or apply for correction or deletion of entries in accordance with the prescribed procedure. Booth-wise lists of absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate electors have also been displayed online along with reasons for non-inclusion.

Highlighting facilitation measures, the CEO said the revision exercise included special camps at polling stations, awareness campaigns through print, electronic and social media, voter awareness content in local languages, and regular dissemination of information through official platforms.

Citizens who have attained or will attain the age of 18 years on or before July 1, 2026, are encouraged to submit Form 6 for inclusion in the electoral roll. Electors may verify their enrolment status through electoral rolls, voter information portals, the websites of the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officers, or by contacting Booth Level Officers, besides scanning QR codes provided for easy access.

The Chief Electoral Officer clarified that no name can be deleted from the draft electoral roll without issuance of notice and a reasoned order by the concerned ERO or AERO. Aggrieved electors may avail of a two-tier appeal mechanism under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with the first appeal lying with the District Election Officer and the second with the Chief Electoral Officer.

The Election Commission of India has deputed senior officers as observers for the revision exercise. Rural Development secretary Anil Raj Rai is assigned to Namchi and Pakyong districts, Planning and Development secretary Tushar Nikhare to Gangtok and Mangan districts, and Printing and Stationery secretary A.B. Karki to Gyalshing and Soreng districts.

Reiterating the objective of the Special Intensive Revision, the Chief Electoral Officer said the exercise aims to ensure an accurate, authentic, transparent, and inclusive electoral roll. He assured that all additions, deletions, and corrections will undergo due verification before finalisation in accordance with Election Commission of India guidelines.