The Election Commission of India has published Odisha’s draft electoral rolls after completing the first phase of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with more than 20 lakh voter names removed from the list.
According to election officials, the names were deleted after verification found that many voters had either shifted their residence, passed away, enrolled at multiple locations or could not be verified during the revision exercise. The update is aimed at improving the accuracy of the electoral rolls ahead of future elections.
The Special Intensive Revision was carried out across all districts in Odisha, with election officials conducting door-to-door verification and checking voter records to identify ineligible entries. The exercise also included the addition of eligible new voters and correction of existing records wherever necessary.
Officials said the publication of the draft rolls marks an important stage in the revision process, but the list is not yet final. Citizens whose names have been deleted or who find any errors in their voter details can submit claims and objections within the stipulated period. Election authorities have assured that all applications will be examined before the final electoral roll is published.
The Election Commission has urged voters to check their names in the draft electoral rolls and immediately report any discrepancies. Booth-level officers and designated election offices will assist citizens in updating or correcting their voter information.
Officials emphasised that the revision exercise is a routine process aimed at ensuring free, fair and transparent elections by maintaining an accurate voter database. They also appealed to political parties and the public to cooperate in verifying records and raising genuine objections wherever required.
The deletion of over 20 lakh names has drawn attention due to the scale of the exercise, but election authorities maintain that every removal has been carried out following established procedures and field verification.
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