Maharashtra SIR: Voters with ‘No Mapping’ notices need not to appear for physical hearings, says EC

Representational image. File pic

Voters served notices over discrepancies such as "No Mapping" or "Logical Discrepancy" in their electoral records will not have to appear physically for hearings; the Office of the state Chief Electoral Officer's office said on Thursday amid the SIR in Maharashtra.

As per the official statement, the order comes days after the Election Commission of India's September 26, 2026, press note and subsequent instructions issued on September 29.

Under the revised process, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) will visit the residence of the concerned elector and collect the required documents. The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) will then take a decision based on the documents submitted.

Voters can send documents to BLO through WhatsApp

Electors can also send the required documents or evidence to their concerned BLO through WhatsApp, according to the instructions.

In cases involving a logical discrepancy, officials will consider documents specifically related to the discrepancy, along with the verification report or panchanama submitted by the BLO.

Physical or online hearing will be conducted in exceptional cases

A physical or online hearing will be conducted only in exceptional cases where the prescribed documents are unavailable or officials are unable to take a decision based on the documents submitted. The hearing will preferably be conducted online, and the concerned elector or any adult member of the elector's family may appear.

Electors who have received notices can also submit their documents during polling-station-wise Special Camps scheduled for October 3, 4, 10, and 11 for electoral registration.

The Chief Electoral Officer's office has also directed officials to organise Special Camps and Help Desks for vulnerable groups, including homeless electors, workers, poor persons, members of tribal communities, particularly those belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and orphaned persons.

The Election Commission has instructed Electoral Registration Officers to ensure that no eligible elector is deprived of inclusion in the electoral roll. Where sufficient evidence is not available to take a decision, electors will be given an opportunity to submit additional documents before further action is taken.

BLOs will coordinate with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties while contacting electors and collecting documents. The Chief Electoral Officer's office has urged concerned electors to cooperate with BLOs visiting them for document collection.