The Odisha State Election Commission recently conducted a high-level review meeting with various officials to prepare for the 2027 three-tier Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections. Chaired by State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi, the meeting focused on crucial aspects of the upcoming elections. One significant decision made was to conduct a door-to-door survey to ensure accurate booth-wise electoral rolls.
For the first time, the State Election Commission will implement a door-to-door survey to enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls. This survey, aimed at cleaning up the electoral roll, is expected to be completed within the next three to four months. Discussions are ongoing regarding the potential use of deduplication to further refine the process.
The survey is scheduled to commence in the second week of October, following the publication of the final electoral roll by the Election Commission of India in September. The SEC emphasized the importance of diligently carrying out the survey, delimiting booths and wards, and ensuring the timely completion of all necessary activities. The goal is to publish the draft electoral rolls by January 1, 2027, and the final rolls by February 10, 2027.
Officials have been directed to meticulously revise and purify the electoral rolls to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters while removing the names of deceased or ineligible individuals. Special attention is being given to rectifying errors and producing an error-free final voter list within the specified timeframe. Moreover, efforts are being made to ensure that all eligible family members are listed consecutively in the electoral roll for the same polling booth.
Comprehensive training sessions for all officials and staff involved in election duties have been recommended to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the polls. The focus remains on meticulous planning and execution to facilitate free, fair, and orderly elections in Odisha.
