Mumbai: The Congress on Wednesday urged Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam not to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise during the Pandharpur Wari and the heavy rainfall period between June 30 and July 29, and instead postpone it by a month.
Ashadhi Wari observed in Maharashtra
In a letter, Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal said that since the Ashadhi Wari falls during this period, millions of Warkaris (devotees) from across the state would be participating in the pilgrimage and would remain away from their homes.
Considering this, Sapkal demanded that the SIR exercise be deferred by a month as there was a serious risk that their names might be omitted from the voter lists.
Sapkal further stated: “The Election Commission announced the voter list revision (SIR) programme on May 14, 2026. According to information provided by the Commission, mapping work in Maharashtra has reached approximately 72 per cent. This work will continue until June 19, 2026, and the second phase is understood to be scheduled from June 30 to July 29, 2026.
During this phase, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will go door-to-door to distribute and collect enumeration forms from voters.” He added that Maharashtra has a massive Warkari community and that the Ashadhi Wari coincides with this exact period. Warkaris from more than 20 districts across western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha travel to Pandharpur on foot in various dindis (processions). Since they would not be at home, their names could be wrongfully omitted, he claimed.
Heavy rainfall in July Month
Furthermore, according to the Meteorological Department’s forecast, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Konkan, Pune and Satara areas are expected to witness heavy rainfall in July, which could disrupt normal life. Taking all these factors into consideration, the letter urged that the SIR programme be postponed by a month, Sapkal said.
Earlier, Chockalingam said that the extensive exercise would involve a physical, door-to-door verification of approximately 9.86 crore electors across Maharashtra under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign from June to October.