New Delhi, May 30: Odisha will initiate a special intensive review (SIR) of voter lists starting Friday. Under this initiative, booth-level officers (BLOs) will conduct a door-to-door verification campaign across the state. Their goal is to distribute enumeration forms, assist residents in filling them out, and collect the completed forms.
During a press conference, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R.S. Gopalan stated that the verification process, commencing on May 30, will be completed by June 28. He mentioned that BLOs will visit voters’ homes in the morning and provide each voter with an enumeration form.
These forms will include personal information, family details, and data related to the 2002 voter list. During these visits, BLOs will verify the information and correct any minor errors as needed.
The CEO has instructed BLOs to remain vigilant to ensure that no eligible Indian voter is left out and that no ineligible individuals are included in the voter list.
Gopalan announced that the draft voter list will be published on July 5. The period for filing claims and objections is set from July 5 to August 4.
Similarly, the resolution of claims and objections, along with the notice period, will continue from July 5 to September 2, while the final voter list will be published on September 6, 2026.
BLOs have also been directed to be present at their respective polling stations daily from 3 PM to 5 PM, allowing voters to submit their forms directly at the polling center. A total of 45,255 BLOs have been deployed across the state to ensure the smooth execution of the SIR process, and they have received necessary training for this task.
The CEO further noted that 33,000 booth-level agents have been appointed so far and are currently undergoing training. Help desks have also been activated to assist voters.
For those who prefer digital methods, voters can download the enumeration form directly from the Election Commission’s website and upload the completed form online. Residents can reach out to their local BLO through a dedicated BLO app for any inquiries.
Addressing concerns related to logical discrepancies or errors and documentary proofs, Gopalan clarified that most discrepancies found in voter lists, such as errors in names or ages, are minor and can be resolved through a single field verification.
CEO Gopalan stated, “In fact, most logical errors are minor, such as age differences or name variations. These can be corrected through a field verification process. For serious errors, voters may be asked to provide supporting evidence. Even if no supporting evidence is available, the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) can still make a decision. Lack of evidence does not mean the voter is ineligible.”
For voters currently away from their homes, the CEO confirmed that family members can collect the enumeration form on their behalf and sign it.
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