Bhubaneswar: In view of the devastation caused by cyclone Arnab in Odisha, the State Election Commission (SEC) has extended the door-to-door voter verification survey in three flood-affected districts.
The decision comes as part of the Commission’s efforts to prepare an accurate and error-free electoral roll.
The State Election Commissioner informed that the intensive door-to-door survey—which is being conducted in the state for the very first time—has been extended to ensure no eligible voter is left out due to recent flood disruptions.
According to the SEC, the survey deadline across the state was November 7. However, keeping the extent of flood damage in mind, specific extensions have been granted to three southern districts The deadline in Ganjam has been extended by 2 weeks (Nov 21), while in Gajapati and Kandhamala it has been extended by one week (November 14).
The Commission aims to complete the panchayat election process by April next year and elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) by May 2027, with preparations for both polls underway in full swing.
State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi said the draft electoral roll is targeted to be published on January 1, 2027, while the final voter list is expected to be ready by February 15.
Padhi told the media that the SEC is conducting a door-to-door survey to prepare a clean and error-free electoral roll ahead of the elections. The survey, which is being conducted in the state for the first time, will continue until November 7, while the deadline has been extended in three southern districts.
Special emphasis is being laid on ensuring that all eligible voters belonging to a family are allotted the same polling booth.
While the survey is progressing smoothly in rural areas, the Commission is facing difficulties in collecting voter data in urban areas, particularly in apartment complexes. In some places, voters are also not cooperating with survey personnel, he added.
