INDIA, Dec. 1 -- The Election Commission has extended the deadline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter list cleanup exercise in 12 states and Union Territories by one week, pushing the final publication date to February 14. The extension comes just a day before the Winter Session of Parliament begins, with the SIR issue expected to spark major clashes between the government and the Opposition.

In a detailed three-page order issued today, the Election Commission said officials now have additional time to publish the draft electoral rolls. The enumeration period, earlier scheduled to end on December 4, will now conclude on December 11. As a result, the draft voter list-originally planned for release on December 9-will be publish...