A delegation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, and submitted a memorandum regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
In the memorandum, the delegation demanded simplification of the declaration forms and the additional information currently required for the inclusion of new voters (Form-6) and transfer of voters from other States (Form-8).
The BJD stated that numerous complaints and objections have been received from various political parties, Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and members of the general public across the State. It alleged that the present process has become unnecessarily complicated. In particular, it has created difficulties for people living in rural and remote areas, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, students, migrant workers, and other vulnerable sections of society.
The party stated that while maintaining the purity and impartiality of the electoral roll is essential, the increasing complexity of the process has resulted in eligible citizens being excluded from the electoral roll and thereby deprived of their fundamental democratic rights. It emphasised that the voter registration process must be made simple, transparent, inclusive, and accessible to all.
The BJD stated that the CEO has acknowledged that voters have been excluded during the SIR process. Before the commencement of the SIR, there were 3,40,72,744 voters in the State as on 14 May. However, during the meeting of political parties convened by the Chief Electoral Officer on 15 May, the voter strength was stated to be 3,34,05,487. Subsequently, at the commencement of the SIR process, the number of voters was stated to be 3,33,99,591. However, the published draft electoral roll contains only about 3.13 crore voters.
After examining the entire process, the BJD alleged that more than 27 lakh voters had been deleted from the electoral roll. According to the party, the CEO accepted this assessment and stated that it was not 27 lakh, but more than 31 lakh voters who had been deleted from the electoral roll. Accordingly, the delegation placed its demands before the CEO.
The delegation demanded simplification of Form-6 and Form-8, limiting document verification only to essential documents, and issuing appropriate instructions to all Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and other election officials not to subject eligible voters to unnecessary harassment.
The BJD further pointed out that although ten days have elapsed since the publication of the draft electoral roll under the SIR process, adequate awareness has not been created among BLOs, BLAs, and the general electorate. The party raised this issue before the Chief Electoral Officer as well. It stated that inadequate awareness regarding the claims and objections process for inclusion of eligible voters, correction of errors, and deletion of ineligible names has resulted in considerable difficulties. As a result, many voters, BLAs, and other stakeholders are unable to effectively participate in the process.
The party also alleged that adequate information has not been disseminated regarding the Unmapping List and the Anomaly List. Errors and deficiencies identified during the enumeration stage are reportedly not being corrected promptly by the EROs and AEROs. It further stated that BLOs and BLAs have not been provided with adequate training and capacity building on the claims and objections process. In many polling stations, essential forms such as Form-6 and Form-8 are reportedly unavailable, preventing voters from submitting applications.
The delegation also complained that the BLO App frequently crashes, loads slowly, and encounters problems while uploading data. The BJD further pointed out that the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer is also experiencing technical issues. In this regard, the delegation submitted several demands, including: Immediate awareness campaigns among BLOs, BLAs, and voters regarding the Unmapping List and Anomaly List. Directions to all EROs and AEROs to rectify errors and deficiencies identified during the enumeration stage within the prescribed time frame. Comprehensive training and capacity-building programmes for BLOs and BLAs on the claims and objections process. Voter awareness campaigns through the media, social media, and field-level outreach. Strict monitoring of field-level activities to ensure that no eligible voter is left out. Issuance of clear guidelines for timely disposal of claims and objections.
The BJD stated that the entire process must be conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and inclusive manner. It emphasized that while ineligible voters may be removed from the electoral roll, not a single eligible voter should be excluded. The party urged the Chief Electoral Officer to intervene immediately and ensure that every eligible voter is able to exercise his or her democratic rights.
The delegation comprised Senior Vice-President and former Minister Shri Debi Prasad Mishra; Senior General Secretary and Spokesperson Shri Bhrugu Baxipatra; Senior General Secretary Shri Pranab Balabantaray; General Secretary Shri Bijay Nayak; State General Secretary of Biju Yuva Janata Dal Shri Amanjit Senapati; Vice-President Shri Niladri Mohanty; Vice-President Shri Manoj Senapati and others.
