Odisha is set to begin a special intensive revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls next month, marking the first such comprehensive exercise since 2002, according to the state’s chief electoral officer, R Sant Gopalan. The final, revised voter list is scheduled to be published on January 7 of next year, though Gopalan noted this date could be adjusted based on the Election Commission of India's (ECI) directions.
Since 2002 when the last such exercise was carried out, the electoral rolls have undergone annual summary revisions, which do not involve door-to-door verification.
The upcoming SIR could be a crucial effort to ensure that no eligible voter is left out, and no ineligible person remains on the rolls, he said.
The process will involve house-to-house visits, verification of voter eligibility, and the rationalisation of polling stations to eliminate any inaccuracies. Gopalan also announced that the number of polling booths across the state will increase from 38,000 to 45,000 to accommodate the growing number of voters.
Also read: Odisha seeks Centre's help for metro rail project
This announcement comes amid a continuing controversy in Bihar over a similar revision process. The SIR in Bihar, also the first in two decades, led to the exclusion of nearly 6.5 million names from the draft roll published on August 1. With the need to emphasise transparency in the electoral process, the Supreme Court intervened, directing the ECI to publish details of these deleted voters on August 14. The court set a deadline of August 19 for compliance, with a review scheduled for August 22.
The 2024 voter list shows that the state has 33.2 million voters, including 16.8 million men and 16.3 million women. The voter base also includes 680,000 senior citizens, 9,060 people over the age of 100, and 457,000 persons with disabilities.
As per ECI guidelines, individuals whose names were not on the 2002 electoral roll must submit specific documents to prove their eligibility. In the Bihar case, the Supreme Court also instructed the ECI to accept Aadhaar cards as a valid document.
To make the revision a success, the state government has directed all departments and district collectors to see that no vacancies of district election officer (DEO), electoral registration officer (ERO), or assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) exist during the period of revision. In addition, no transfer of officers in these positions shall be made without the previous permission of the Election Commission.
Sant Gopalan, further, cautioned that "baseless allegations could undermine the credibility of the Election Commission."
Follow us
