Bhubaneswar: A comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls began in Odisha on Saturday, with 45,255 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) initiating the process of door-to-door verification.
As part of the mammoth exercise, BLOs are visiting households to distribute enumeration forms and assist voters in updating their details in the electoral rolls.
Officials said the revision process aims to ensure the accuracy of voter lists ahead of future elections. BLOs are also facilitating the enrolment of eligible new voters and collecting necessary information for corrections, additions, and deletions in the electoral database.
The SIR is considered one of the most critical pre-election exercises undertaken by the Election Commission to update, verify and streamline electoral rolls before major elections. The process involves large-scale field verification, correction of voter data and inclusion or deletion of names based on eligibility with active involvement of political parties and citizens.
According to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, R S Gopalan, printing and preparatory work have been completed, and training for the SIR survey of all BLOs has concluded.
Enumeration forms are now being distributed among the electors, who feature in the 2005 voters list. The BLOs will conduct house-to-house visits from May 30 to June 28. The BLOs have been instructed to remain in their booths from 3 pm to 5 pm, since some people have sought a designated spot where they can meet them.
Officials said the drive is intended to ensure no eligible Indian citizen is left out of the voter list while removing ineligible entries. The Commission has asked all BLOs to remain vigilant so that no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible person is included.
Officials also requested all recognised political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) for every polling station to ensure transparency and participation in the process. So far, 33,226 such agents have been appointed by political parties.
During the house-to-house campaign, BLOs will provide two pre-printed enumeration forms to each voter. One copy will be collected after filling, while the second copy, duly signed by the BLO, will be handed back to the voter as a receipt for their records. Voters facing any difficulty in filling forms can seek assistance from their respective BLOs. New eligible voters can also apply using Form-6 along with a declaration during this period.
The CEO has said that the draft electoral roll will be published on July 5. Claims and objections can be filed between July 5 and August 4, with disposal continuing until September 2. The final roll will be published on September 6, 2026.
Digital options are available as voters can download forms from the Election Commission’s website and upload completed forms online. The BLO app also connects residents with their local officers.
Gopalan has clarified that most logical errors, such as discrepancies in age or name, can be resolved through simple field inquiries. Serious errors may require supporting evidence, but the absence of documents does not automatically disqualify a voter. Family members can collect and sign forms for voters away from home.
Officials informed that 3,16,03,323 electors — 94.61% of the total — have already been mapped with the voter list published during the last SIR in 2002. Unmapped electors will get an opportunity to provide necessary details during this revision for inclusion.
In view of the prevailing summer conditions in the state, the CEO has issued specific guidelines for field work. BLOs have been directed to conduct visits only between 6 am and 11 pm and 4 pm and 7 pm, avoiding the peak heat hours between 12 noon and 3 PM.
A special protocol has been prepared for the safety of officials. District Superintendents of Police and Electoral Registration Officers have been coordinated with to provide prompt security in case of any untoward incidents.
