Special intensive revision in Ranchi in final phase; names of over 6.97 lakh voters removed from the list.

Ranchi. The ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) campaign being conducted by the Election Commission in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, has reached its final stage. According to the district administration, the names of 697,936 voters have been removed from the electoral roll so far during the verification process. Additionally, the distribution, collection, and digitization of enumeration forms have been nearly completed across most of the district’s assembly constituencies. The administration states that the campaign aims to make the electoral roll error-free, up-to-date, and transparent, ensuring that only eligible voters remain on the list.

According to information released by the district administration, as of 6 PM on July 29, the distribution and collection of enumeration forms have been fully completed (100%) in four of the district’s seven assembly constituencies: Tamar, Hatia, Kanke, and Mandar. In these areas, door-to-door voter verification was conducted, and information was cross-checked against necessary documents.

Meanwhile, the work of form distribution and collection is also nearing 100% completion in the Silli, Khijri, and Ranchi assembly constituencies. The administration states that the few remaining cases in these areas will also be resolved soon, after which the process will be complete across the entire district.

Alongside the voter verification drive, the digitization of forms has also been carried out rapidly. According to the district administration, the digitization of enumeration forms received from all seven assembly constituencies is nearly 100% complete. The creation of digital records will make the process of updating the electoral roll more transparent and faster. It will also facilitate the verification and amendment of electoral roll information in the future.

According to the administration, the Special Intensive Revision campaign revealed a large number of names that had remained on the electoral roll for various reasons. These include voters who had permanently relocated to other places, deceased voters, names registered in multiple locations, and other ineligible entries. Following an investigation into such cases, the names in question have been removed from the electoral roll in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Officials state that the purification of the electoral roll is a crucial part of the electoral process. If ineligible or duplicate names remain on the list, the fairness and transparency of the election could be compromised. With this objective, the Election Commission periodically conducts special intensive revision drives to ensure the electoral roll remains accurate and up-to-date.

A large number of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other personnel were deployed during the campaign. These officials conducted door-to-door voter verification, cross-checked necessary documents, and facilitated the filling out of enumeration forms. In many areas, the cooperation of local public representatives and citizens was also enlisted, enabling the timely completion of the verification process.

The district administration has appealed to citizens that if an eligible voter’s name is missing from the list or if there are any errors, the issue can be rectified by submitting the required application through the prescribed procedure. Similarly, if a voter believes their name has been removed erroneously, they can file a claim or objection in accordance with Election Commission rules.

Election experts believe that the regular revision of the electoral roll is essential for strengthening the democratic process. An accurate and updated electoral roll not only ensures fair elections but also plays a vital role in increasing voter turnout and minimizing electoral disputes.

However, following the removal of a large number of names, it is also crucial to maintain transparent records of all such cases and ensure that voters whose names were removed have the opportunity to present their case in accordance with the rules. This will ensure that no eligible voter is inadvertently left off the list.

Currently, the special intensive revision drive in Ranchi district is in its final phase. The tasks of distributing, collecting, and digitizing forms are nearly complete. The administration is now engaged in final verification and completing the necessary procedures to prepare the updated electoral roll. Officials state that the entire process is being conducted transparently, in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines, to ensure the availability of an accurate and authentic electoral roll for the upcoming elections.