The Election Commission of India (ECI) has started a large-scale voter verification campaign in three Northeastern states—Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim. The exercise forms part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) began visiting households on Saturday to verify voter details and distribute enumeration forms. The month-long drive will continue until June 28, while draft electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on July 5.
Quick Glance
- ECI has launched the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim.
- Door-to-door voter verification will continue until June 28.
- Draft electoral rolls will be published on July 5 after verification is completed.
- Nearly 3,000 BLOs have been deployed in Manipur alone for the revision exercise.
Agartala: The initiative is part of a nationwide effort by the Election Commission to improve the accuracy, transparency, and inclusiveness of voter databases. Election officials believe the exercise will help identify eligible voters, remove duplicate or outdated entries, and strengthen the integrity of electoral rolls across the region.
Preps Completed Before Field Ops
Before launching the field-level exercise, election authorities conducted extensive preparations. District-level training programmes equipped Booth Level Officers with the required knowledge and procedural guidelines.
Officials said proper training remains crucial because BLOs serve as the primary link between voters and the Election Commission. Consequently, authorities focused on ensuring uniform implementation of the revision process across all districts.
The Election Commission has fixed July 1 as the qualifying date for the Special Intensive Revision in the three states. After completing field verification and scrutiny procedures, officials will release draft electoral rolls on July 5.
Manipur Deploys Nearly 3,000 BLOs
In Manipur, Chief Electoral Officer Arun Kumar Sinha announced that 2,956 Booth Level Officers have been assigned to conduct the exercise.
These officials will distribute partially pre-filled Enumeration Forms in duplicate to registered voters. Citizens must verify and update their details wherever necessary.
Sinha urged voters to provide accurate information, including details from previous revision exercises and information related to eligible family members. He also advised electors to retain one completed copy of the Enumeration Form for future reference.
Importantly, BLOs will not collect any supporting documents during this phase. Instead, they will focus solely on collecting and verifying information provided by voters.
The Chief Electoral Officer further informed that citizens can download Enumeration Forms from the Election Commission’s official portal. They can complete the forms online and submit them digitally through the designated platform.
Sikkim Focuses on Accuracy and Transparency
Election authorities in Sikkim have highlighted several objectives behind the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
The drive seeks to include all eligible voters in the electoral rolls. At the same time, it aims to remove names of deceased individuals, duplicate voters, and those who have permanently relocated.
Officials also intend to correct inaccuracies in voter records. As a result, electoral rolls will become more reliable and transparent.
Political parties are also participating in the process through their Booth Level Agents (BLAs). Their involvement is expected to improve transparency and enhance public confidence in the revision exercise.
Mizoram Reviews Preparedness Ahead of Key Exercise
Meanwhile, Mizoram has intensified its preparations for the revision drive. Earlier this week, Election Commission Secretary Binod Kumar reviewed the state’s readiness during a meeting in Aizawl.
The review meeting brought together District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Supervisors, and BLOs.
During the interaction, Kumar stressed the national significance of the Special Intensive Revision. He called upon election officials to carry out their duties with dedication, sincerity, and transparency.
He also encouraged officials to thoroughly understand the rules governing the exercise. According to him, strict adherence to procedures will ensure successful implementation across all districts.
Furthermore, Kumar directed authorities to distribute Enumeration Forms within five days. He also assured officials of the Election Commission’s support during the entire exercise.
The meeting served multiple purposes. Officials reviewed preparedness levels, discussed operational challenges, clarified procedural doubts, and received guidance on various aspects of the revision process.
Nationwide Electoral Roll Update Underway
The ongoing exercise forms part of a larger nationwide programme announced by the Election Commission on May 14.
Under the phased implementation plan, electoral rolls in 16 states and three Union Territories are undergoing revision. The objective is to improve voter database accuracy while ensuring inclusiveness and transparency.
SIR exercise will be conducted in all the seven NE States including Tripura except Assam as the state has already completed its electoral roll revision process.
Why the Revision Exercise Matters
Accurate electoral rolls form the foundation of free and fair elections. Therefore, periodic revisions remain essential for maintaining voter confidence in the democratic process.
The Special Intensive Revision allows authorities to identify eligible citizens who may not yet be registered. Simultaneously, it helps remove ineligible entries and correct existing errors.
For Northeastern states, where population movement and demographic changes often impact voter records, such exercises play a particularly important role. The current revision drive is expected to strengthen electoral integrity while ensuring that every eligible citizen gets an opportunity to participate in the democratic process. (With IANS inputs)