The Election Commission has directed election authorities to launch a special enrolment drive for voters whose names were left out during or after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 20 states and Union territories.

The Commission said SIR has already been completed in 20 states and UTs, including Bihar and West Bengal. It has asked Chief Electoral Officers, District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers to facilitate the enrolment of eligible voters through the process of continuous updation.

The move also covers young and first-time voters who are eligible for inclusion in the electoral rolls.

How left-out voters can seek inclusion

According to the Election Commission, a person whose name was left out during SIR or thereafter can approach the concerned Electoral Registration Officer for inclusion in the electoral roll under the continuous updation process.

The Commission has directed the respective election officials to immediately begin a special drive to facilitate enrolment of such electors.

The initiative is also intended to provide an enrolment route for eligible young and first-time voters.

Goa example cited by Election Commission

The Election Commission cited steps taken in Goa as an example of efforts to reach voters who were left out.

It said the Chief Electoral Officer in Goa had directed Booth Level Officers to conduct house-to-house visits to left-out voters to collect their forms. According to the Commission, 81 of 97 voters had already filled Form 6 for inclusion.

The Commission said the special drive follows its September 26 meeting and has the approval of the full Commission.

The ECI has also said that the final figure of electors will be known only after the final publication of electoral rolls in the remaining 12 states covered under Phase III of SIR.

The BJP is preparing a major organisational and electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, with the party considering dropping more than 100 sitting MLAs from its candidate list.

The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to address internal differences within the party, strengthen its organisation and reconnect with voters across the state.

BJP’s plan for Uttar Pradesh

The party’s strategy involves reviewing the performance and prospects of its sitting legislators before deciding on candidates for the next Assembly election. More than 100 MLAs could potentially be denied tickets as part of the exercise.

The focus is also on resolving internal rifts and improving coordination within the organisation. The BJP is looking to address issues that emerged during the 2024 Lok Sabha election and strengthen its connect with voters.

The party’s review comes as it prepares for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, where it will seek to strengthen its position across the state.

Focus on internal differences and voters

Along with changes to its pool of candidates, the BJP is working on repairing differences within the organisation.

The party’s strategy places emphasis on reconnecting with voters and understanding issues at the ground level. Leaders and workers are expected to focus on strengthening the party’s presence among voters as preparations for the Assembly election continue.

The approach reflects the BJP’s effort to draw lessons from its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and make organisational changes ahead of the next major electoral contest in Uttar Pradesh.

Candidate changes under consideration

The possibility of dropping over 100 sitting MLAs would represent a significant change in the BJP’s candidate strategy in the state. However, the final decision on individual tickets will depend on the party’s assessment and the selection process.

The BJP is therefore combining a review of its sitting legislators with efforts to resolve internal differences and rebuild its connection with voters as it prepares for the 2027 polls.

Eight students from Pune drowned in the sea at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Thursday while on a picnic, police said. All eight bodies have been recovered.

The students, all aged 16, were from a private coaching academy at Alandi in Pune district. They were part of a larger group that had travelled to the beach for a picnic.

According to a police official, the group comprised 48 people, including 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers. The students belonged to Classes 11 and 12.

Students swept away after entering sea

The eight students entered the sea at Diveagar beach and were swept away after misjudging the depth of the water and the current, the police official said.

The beach comes under the jurisdiction of the Dighi Coastal Police Station. The location is around 170 km from Alandi as well as from Mumbai.

Rescue teams were alerted after the students were swept away. A local water sports team also joined the rescue operation and recovered the bodies of all eight students.

Police and local authorities subsequently took custody of the bodies and sent them to the Primary Health Centre at Borli Panchatan for post-mortem examinations and other required legal procedures.

The deceased students were identified as Tanmay Dattatray Vahile, Sumit Bharat Ahire, Pranav Ramdas Bansode, Kaivalya Satish Wasankar, Rajveer Yuvraj Vahile, Yash Kiran Wankhede, Soham Tukaram Bhandwalkar and Kaustubh Sandeep Daund.

Police and local authorities are carrying out further legal and administrative proceedings following the incident.