The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that newly enrolled voters in Tamil Nadu whose applications are approved will receive their voter identity cards within 15 days, following a Supreme Court directive that extended the voter enrolment period.The extension comes as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state. During the revision process, the draft voter list saw the removal of approximately 97.37 lakh names. This figure included voters who were absent from their registered addresses or had shifted, as well as duplicate entries. Only those who have moved or were absent are eligible to reapply for inclusion in the updated voter list.
Applications to be added to the electoral roll were originally accepted from December 19, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and this deadline was later extended to January 30, 2026. Around 16 lakh new applications were received during this period. The Supreme Court has further ordered an additional 10-day extension to the window for filing enrolment applications.
Election officials say that applications received so far are currently under review. Once approved, applicants will first be assigned a voter ID card number. Following this, the Election Commission will issue colour photo voter ID cards, which will be delivered within 15 days of approval.
The move aims to ensure that new voters have their official identity cards in hand in a timely manner, enabling them to participate in the upcoming elections without difficulty.