Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya election officials have pushed back the deadline for filing electoral claims and objections by 14 days. The move follows civil unrest in Shillong that stalled the process last month. The Chief Electoral Officer confirmed the new deadline for filings is September 18, 2026.
Disposal of claims, including all hearings, will now conclude on October 17. The final electoral roll goes public on October 21. Officials finalized the timeline during a meeting with deputy commissioners, election officers, and various political parties.
Hearings are moving forward. So far, the department generated 6,51,735 notices and successfully delivered 5,71,989 of them. Data shows 1,29,298 hearings are finished, covering 19.84 percent of all generated notices. Verification efforts identified 297 ineligible electors. Officials in East Khasi Hills resumed the process on August 31 after the local law and order situation caused temporary shutdowns.
The department maintains strict oversight regarding deletions. The CEO stated, "The department also reiterated that a name cannot be removed from the Draft Electoral Roll without following due process, including issuing a notice and providing the concerned elector a fair opportunity to be heard."
Mapping remains a major hurdle. Nearly 652,000 cases require verification, split between 2,22,786 records with no mapping and 4,28,858 cases showing discrepancies. These errors involve name mismatches, birth date inconsistencies, and issues linking siblings or children to parents. Officials are reviewing Form 6 for inclusions, Form 7 for objections, and Form 8 for shifts or corrections.
Voters can seek help via the 1950 Voter Helpline, the NGSP Web Portal, or the Book a Call with BLO facility. Residents mapped with SIR 2005 records need no further action. Others facing mapping disputes must attend hearings with supporting documents. Those left off the draft can still submit Form 6 applications during the window.
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