Bhubaneswar: All arrangements for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll have been finalized in Odisha, with the number of polling booths in the state rising to nearly 43,000 after the addition of 7,000 new centres.
Odisha has completed preparations for the SIR of the voter list which has been underway for the past 5 months, aimed to ensure that every eligible voter is properly registered and that polling infrastructure is strengthened ahead of upcoming elections.
Officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) confirmed that 7,000 new polling booths have been added across the state, taking the total count from around 36,000 to 43,000. This expansion is intended to reduce voter congestion and make polling more accessible, with each booth expected to cater to no more than 1,200 electors.
Officers at the booth level have already been appointed to oversee the process and ensure smooth functioning. The SIR process also involved integrating voter data from 2002 and 2025 rolls, ensuring that names already present in earlier lists remain valid while new eligible voters are added. According to officials, nearly 70 % of the mapping work has been completed and the remaining will be finalized before the publication of the updated rolls.
This is the first time since 2002 that Odisha has undertaken such a comprehensive revision of its voter list. The move is seen as a significant step toward strengthening electoral transparency and inclusivity.
Authorities emphasised that the updated system will help eliminate duplication, prevent errors, and ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their democratic right without difficulty. With the preparations now complete, Odisha is set to enter the next phase of its electoral process with enhanced infrastructure and a more robust voter database. The increase in polling booths is expected to improve accessibility, especially in rural and remote areas.
