Sasmit Patra has urged the Election Commission of India to ensure that the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Odisha is conducted in a transparent, fair and error-free manner.
In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the senior Biju Janata Dal leader expressed concern over alleged irregularities noticed during the preliminary verification phase of the voter roll revision exercise in Odisha.
The SIR Phase-III process is scheduled to begin in Odisha from May 30 as part of a nationwide electoral roll verification drive covering 16 states and three Union Territories.
BJD Flags Concerns Over Proposed Voter Deletions
Patra stated that nearly 9.8 lakh voters were allegedly identified for potential deletion during the pre-SIR verification stage. He claimed that inconsistencies in field verification, the unusually high number of proposed deletions and the large volume of objections submitted by citizens raised serious concerns.
According to the BJD MP, instructions later issued by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha for re-verification and corrective review highlighted the need for stronger safeguards before the formal SIR exercise begins.
He stressed that maintaining accurate electoral rolls is essential for protecting democratic values. At the same time, he cautioned that eligible voters should not be excluded due to procedural errors, documentation issues or verification gaps.
“Even limited lapses in a large-scale exercise can impact a significant number of genuine voters and create avoidable public concern,” Patra said in his communication to the Election Commission.
Key Demands Made By Sasmit Patra
The BJD leader requested the Election Commission to introduce multiple safeguards during the voter verification process. These include:
- Proper and documented field verification before deleting any voter names
- Advance notice for affected voters
- Stronger monitoring in areas reporting high voter deletions
- Citizen-friendly grievance redressal systems with fixed timelines
- Periodic public disclosure of constituency-wise correction and deletion data
- Special outreach programmes for vulnerable and remote communities
- Better coordination with political parties and Booth Level Agents (BLAs)
- Deployment of dedicated observer teams during critical stages of the exercise
Patra said the issues witnessed during the pre-SIR phase should serve as an opportunity to strengthen the process before the full-scale revision begins.
Massive Verification Exercise Planned Across Odisha
As part of the voter verification exercise in Odisha, around 38,123 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct door-to-door verification of voter details across the state.
Additionally, nearly 27,723 Booth Level Agents appointed by different political parties will assist in the process.
The large-scale revision exercise is expected to play a crucial role ahead of future elections in Odisha, making transparency and public confidence key priorities for all stakeholders involved.
Patra expressed hope that the Election Commission would ensure that the Odisha SIR exercise protects voter rights while maintaining the integrity and inclusiveness of the electoral process.
