Election Commission schedules voter roll revision in six jurisdictions

The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for a Special Summary Revision in six jurisdictions on 5 November 2026. It covers the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha and Sikkim and the Union Territories of Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The Commission directed officials to update the existing rolls with reference to 1 January 2027 as the qualifying date. Unlike an intensive revision that prepares rolls afresh, this exercise works from the existing lists.

Polling station adjustments are due by 20 November 2026. The integrated draft rolls are scheduled for 30 November 2026. Claims and objections may be filed through 30 December 2026, and final publication is scheduled for 21 January 2027. The Commission also sought advance applications from people who will meet the eligibility requirements on the later qualifying dates of 1 April 2027, 1 July 2027 and 1 October 2027.

Facts to remember

• Four states and two Union Territories are covered; Chandigarh is one of the two Union Territories.
• Main qualifying date: 1 January 2027; draft publication: 30 November 2026.
• Claims and objections: 30 November 2026 to 30 December 2026; final publication: 21 January 2027.
• The exercise is conducted under Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Background

Article 324 places the preparation of electoral rolls for parliamentary and state legislative elections under the supervision and control of the Election Commission. Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, governs how constituency rolls are prepared and revised. The qualifying date concerns eligibility, while publication dates mark stages in preparing the list. The two types of date serve different purposes.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT and judiciary Polity, revise the Commission’s powers under Article 324 and distinguish eligibility dates from draft and final publication dates.