ECI Caps Form 7 Submissions: 10 per Voter, 5 per Month During Roll Revision

Background: ECI Introduces Cap on Form 7 Submissions

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a directive on 9 October 2026 that caps the number of Form 7 applications an individual voter can file during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to The Hindu, the move aims to curb the surge of bulk filings that have overwhelmed field staff across several states.

Key Limits Set by the ECI

Period	Maximum Form 7s per Voter
Claims & Objections (entire SIR phase)	10
Continuous Roll Updates (per month)	5

These limits apply to both online and physical forms, ensuring uniformity across all modes of submission.

Why the Cap Was Introduced

In the past, voters—particularly in states like Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal and Karnataka—submitted bulk Form 7s in an attempt to delete names or correct errors. The volume of these applications has strained Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and delayed roll revisions. The ECI’s new cap seeks to reduce this administrative burden while maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll.

What This Means for Voters

• Each voter can file up to 10 Form 7s during the entire claims‑and‑objections window.
• During the continuous roll‑update phase, the maximum is five per month.
• Exceeding these limits will result in the ERO rejecting the excess applications.
• Voters who have already submitted more than the allowed number may need to consolidate or withdraw surplus forms.

Impact on Political Parties

Booth‑level agents (BLAs) of recognised parties had previously been permitted to file bulk applications—up to 50 per day before draft publication and 10 per day thereafter. The new cap does not affect these party‑led submissions, but it does restrict individual elector filings that might have been used to influence roll changes in a partisan manner.

Enforcement and Verification

The ECI has instructed EROs to verify the authenticity of each Form 7. If a complaint is found to be false or fabricated, the ERO will take action against the applicant, as per the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Effective Date

The directive is effective from the date of the ECI letter—9 October 2026—and applies uniformly across all states and union territories.