Finance
The Odisha State Election Commission is set to carry out a door-to-door survey across the state from October 26 to November 7 to detect inaccuracies in the electoral rolls before the forthcoming panchayat and urban local body elections.
The goal of the exercise is to create a clear, precise, and unbiased voter list, relying on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral roll that the Election Commission of India released on September 21, stated Odisha State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi.
Teams made up of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Anganwadi workers, Jalasathis, Swachhasathis, and ASHA workers will go to homes to gather voter information. The exercise will be monitored by Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs), BLO supervisors, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
Padhi has urged individuals to assist with the survey. Voters who are eligible and had their names removed during the SIR process can request to be reinstated by providing the necessary documents. Form-16 will be utilized for claims concerning the addition or amendment of names, whereas Form-17 can be submitted for objections against the inclusion of ineligible voters.
With the suggested plan, every eligible voter from a family will be registered at one booth to ensure smooth voting.
A preliminary survey carried out in all 30 districts using the 2025 electoral roll revealed that approximately 7.61 percent of ineligible voters were still on the rolls due to reasons like death or migration, whereas about 4.87 percent of eligible voters were absent. The statewide drill aims to tackle these inconsistencies.
The Commission has also proposed a significant reorganization of voting stations. In rural regions, a booth will be established for every ward, raising the total booths from about 39,000 to nearly 91,000. Ballot papers will be used for voting in panchayat elections.
In city regions, approximately 6,000 polling stations are initially suggested, with more stations to be established if needed. Local elections will be held utilizing electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The preliminary electoral register is expected to be released in January 2027, with a subsequent 20-day timeframe for submitting claims and objections. The Commission stated that the final roll is set for release by February 10, facilitating the panchayat elections to occur within the specified timeframe.
