The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend the deadline for submission of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms in Sikkim by one month, citing practical difficulties faced by voters and election officials during the ongoing revision exercise.According to a press release issued by SDF senior vice-president Shakti Singh Chaudhary on June 5, the party submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission through email and forwarded a copy to the Chief Electoral Officer of Sikkim. The SIR process began on May 31 and is currently scheduled to continue until June 28. The final electoral roll is expected to be published on September 6 after completion of the revision exercise.
In its memorandum, the SDF stated that the time available for the exercise is insufficient for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to complete the extensive door-to-door verification process required under Election Commission guidelines. The party claimed that many BLOs have not been able to visit every household due to time constraints and logistical challenges. It also alleged that the recommended practice of making up to three visits to households has not been fully implemented in several areas. The opposition party further pointed out that voters have been facing difficulties at polling stations and designated centres where forms are being distributed and collected. According to the memorandum, large numbers of people have been gathering at these centres, leading to overcrowding and delays. The SDF said that many citizens, particularly those residing in rural and remote areas, are finding it difficult to understand and complete the forms without proper guidance and assistance. The party argued that additional time would help ensure that all eligible voters are able to participate in the process without unnecessary hurdles.
The memorandum also raised concerns about technical issues in the ECINet application, which is being used by voters to verify their names in the 2002 electoral roll. The party said glitches in the system have created confusion among voters and affected the smooth conduct of the revision exercise. Highlighting Sikkim’s difficult geographical conditions, the SDF noted that the state’s mountainous terrain presents additional challenges for BLOs, many of whom are required to travel long distances to reach scattered settlements. The party said women officials and staff working in remote areas are particularly affected by the demanding field conditions.Seeking an extension of the deadline until the end of July, the SDF maintained that a longer timeframe would enable election officials to complete the revision process more effectively while ensuring broader public participation.The party also stressed that the primary objective of the electoral revision should be the inclusion of all eligible voters. It cautioned that genuine voters could be left out of the draft electoral roll if sufficient time is not provided to complete the verification and enumeration process properly. The Election Commission has not yet responded publicly to the request for an extension.