Bhubaneswar: As the theme of Election Commission of India is to achieve “No Voter To Be Left Behind”, the special drive for electoral roll revision began from Saturday till October 31 this year as the final publication of electoral rolls has been slated January 4, 2019.
Briefing media, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar informed, “The Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls will be taken up in all the 147 Assembly constituencies of Odisha between September 1 and October 31, 2018 while the same period has been scheduled for filing of claims and objections and disposal of the claims and objections is before November 30, 2018.
“The electoral roll revision is scheduled to maximize enrolment of all left out voters, young eligible voters and especially persons with disabilities (PwDs) so that the theme of Election Commission of India ‘No Voter To Be Left Behind’ is achieved,” stressed the CEO.
The objectives of the Special Summary Revision are Inclusion of young eligible voters in the age group 18-19 in the electoral roll, special emphasis on enrolment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), women and vulnerable section of society, identification and deletion of demographical similar entries after due verification, removal of deceased electors following due procedure and correction of entries in the Photo Electoral Roll.
The CEO also informed, “During the period of filing claims and objections till 31.10.2018, general public can verify their entries in the electoral roll with the concerned Booth Level Officer/Block/Municipality Office/ Sub-Collector’s Office. Voters can also search their names online by visiting www.ceoorissa.nic.in / www.nvsp.in .”
He added, “During this period, eligible voters can apply for inclusion of their name in Form-6, for deletion or objection in Form-7, for correction in Form-8 and for transposition of their name within the same Assembly Constituency in Form-8-A.”
Kumar also briefed, “As per the electoral roll published in February 2018, there were 35896 Polling Stations in the State. Rationalisation of Polling Stations was taken up as per the instruction of Election Commission of India and in this process 294 Polling Stations have been merged/abolished and 2004 new polling stations have been created. The total number of polling stations is 37606. The Draft Electoral Roll 2019 has a total of 3,12,52,333 voters (1,61,14,200 males, 1,51,36,036 females and 2097 others).”
Notably, the CEO held a meeting with the representatives of recognised political parties Thursday. The schedule of Summary Revision was discussed and the political parties have been requested to appoint Booth Level Agents to assist the Booth Level Officers in preparation of clean electoral roll.
“Principals and heads of all educational institutions have also been requested to conduct awareness camps to maximize youth enrolment. NSS, NYK Volunteers will also be participating in the camps at the institutions and community level,” informed the Kumar.