As the Election Commission of India (ECI) begins the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Gujarat, the State Election Commission (SEC) is examining how the ongoing process could affect the upcoming local body elections scheduled for January–February 2026.
The SIR process, which started on October 28, is expected to conclude by February 7, 2026. The revision aims to update and verify the accuracy of voter lists across the state before major elections next year.
SEC weighs options amid voter roll update
The Gujarat SEC faces a crucial decision — whether to conduct the civic elections using the existing electoral rolls or to wait for the final, updated rolls that will be ready after the SIR process concludes.
If the SEC opts to wait for the revised voter lists, the polls may need to be postponed by a few months, officials indicated. In such a case, the state government would likely have to appoint administrators to oversee local bodies whose terms expire in February or early March 2026.
“We have started studying the implications of the SIR. No decision has been made yet on whether to conduct elections according to the existing electoral rolls or to wait for the SIR to be completed,” said S. Murali Krishna, Gujarat’s State Election Commissioner.
He added that the SEC would soon hold consultations with stakeholders before finalising the timeline. “The term of local bodies where elections are due will end by February 2026 or the first week of March. We will also study what other states are doing and general rules and precedents,” he said.
Over 4 crore voters to participate in local polls
The upcoming civic elections will cover 15 municipal corporations, including nine newly formed ones, along with 81 municipalities, 31 district panchayats, and 231 taluka panchayats.
According to SEC data, about 80% of Gujarat’s eligible voters are expected to cast their votes in these elections. Out of the 5 crore registered voters in the state, more than 4 crore citizens will be eligible to exercise their franchise in the local body polls.
Possible delay similar to other states
Sources said that political parties in other states have already made representations to the Election Commission, urging that local body elections be conducted only after completing the SIR exercise to ensure updated and accurate voter rolls.
If Gujarat follows this model, the SEC could align its poll schedule with the final publication of the revised electoral rolls in February, pushing the elections beyond the initially planned January–February window.
The SEC is expected to take a final call after its consultations and a detailed review of logistical and administrative implications.