Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state, the Election Commission of India (ECI) Monday released the final electoral roll for the state. With the addition of 5.84 lakh new electors, the number of voters in Odisha increased to 3.18 crore.
“The number of voters as per the draft e-roll published September 1 last year was 3,12,52,333. In the final roll, it has gone up to 3,18,00,787 with the addition of 5,48,454 new voters,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar told reporters. However, the addition and deletion is a contentious process and they will continue until 10 days before the filing of nomination papers, he said.
Male voters constitute 1,63,37,310 while female voters are 1,54,60,545 and transgenders 2,932. “This time, the Election Commission has identified physically-challenged voters thought a special drive and the total number is 1,90,307.” For the first time, special provisions are being made for the voters with disabilities so that they could exercise their franchise, he pointed out.
The number of young electors (in the age group of 18-19) has increased from 1,33,896 to 5,45,401 while 1,80,391 voters were deleted from the list, Kumar said.
The CEO said the Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) had identified 9,02,792 demographically similar entries after analysis of the database of the ERONET, a software that links all EROs of the country. Out of these, 2,97,323 electors were found doubtful. The number of booths in the state has gone up to 37,606 from 35,896 after rationalisation.
Kumar also informed media that a toll free number (1950) for the voters’ aid has been created. By dialing the number, voters can lodge their complaints and grievances. “We are trying to open Voter District Call Centre in every district from January 25. Voters can have their queries answered as well as complaints registered. This facility will be available on every working day from 10 am to 5 pm,” he stated.
There is an Elector Population (EP) ratio. Odisha’s EP ratio as per the draft publication was 69.75 per cent. It has now increased to 71.26 per cent. Similarly, the percentage of female voters per 1000 male voters has been increased to 946 from 939.
In the afternoon, ECI held discussions with the state government officers through videoconferencing on preparedness made for the elections. Chief Secretary AP Padhi, CEO, DGP RP Sharma and many other senior officials attended the meet. Sharma said they have sought 130 platoons of Central Armed Police Force for peaceful completion of the elections as the state is having 15 Maoist-affected districts and three vulnerable districts.