The electoral roll revision in Odisha, known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), will kick off on Saturday. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification, distribute enumeration forms, assist residents in filling them out, and collect the completed forms. Chief Electoral Officer R.S. Gopalan mentioned that the house-to-house verification process will run from May 30 to June 28.
The enumeration forms will capture personal information, family details, and data linked to the 2002 electoral roll. BLOs will visit electors’ homes in the mornings to provide and verify the information in the forms, correcting any minor discrepancies. CEO Gopalan emphasized the importance of ensuring all eligible voters are included and no ineligible individuals are listed in the electoral roll.
The draft electoral roll is set to be published on July 5, with a period for filing claims and objections from July 5 to August 4. The process of addressing claims and objections will extend from July 5 to September 2, leading to the final publication of the electoral roll on September 6, 2026.
BLOs have been instructed to be available at their respective polling booths daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for voters to submit their forms directly. Over 45,000 BLOs have been deployed in Odisha for the smooth conduct of the SIR, with additional training provided. Moreover, 33,000 Booth Level Agents are undergoing training, and help desks are active to aid voters.
For those opting for a digital approach, enumeration forms can be downloaded from the Election Commission’s website and filled forms can be uploaded online. CEO Gopalan addressed concerns regarding discrepancies in voter rolls, stating that most errors can be resolved through a single-field inquiry, with serious errors requiring supporting evidence.
In cases where voters are away from home, family members are authorized to collect and sign the enumeration form on their behalf.
