CHANDIGARH – In a significant move to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, Mrs. Anindita Mitra, has announced the commencement of a state-wide Special In-depth Revision (SIR) exercise. Starting tomorrow, June 25, 2026, a massive door-to-door enumeration drive will be launched across the state.
This rigorous exercise, mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI), is set to run through July 24, 2026. During this period, 24,453 designated Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will fan out across the state to verify the details of over 2.14 crore voters.
A Systematic Approach to Verification
The CEO emphasized that the process is designed to be exhaustive and inclusive. BLOs will be tasked with distributing pre-printed forms to every household. These officers will assist residents in filling out the necessary documentation and collect the completed forms on the spot.
To ensure no eligible voter is missed, the ECI has implemented a strict follow-up protocol:
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Three-Visit Rule: If a resident is unavailable during the initial visit, the BLO is required to revisit the household up to three times.
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Visual Documentation: To maintain transparency, BLOs will leave stickers on the doors of homes they have visited, documenting their attempts to reach the residents.
Protecting Voter Rights
Addressing concerns regarding the potential removal of voters from the registry, Mrs. Mitra offered firm reassurances. “No eligible person’s vote will be deducted during this process,” she stated. She explained that if a voter is not successfully mapped during the initial enumeration phase, they will be issued a formal notice during the subsequent claims and objections period. This will provide the resident with a clear window to present the necessary documentation to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to secure their voting rights.
Legal Eligibility and Enforcement
The CEO also issued a stern reminder regarding the legal requirements for suffrage in India. She clarified that any Indian citizen who has acquired citizenship or a passport from another country is strictly ineligible to vote in India.
“If a voter casts their vote in two places or attempts to vote in India despite holding foreign citizenship, they face severe legal consequences, including up to one year of imprisonment,” Mrs. Mitra warned.
Looking Ahead: Key Milestones
Following the month-long enumeration and the concurrent rationalization of polling stations, the electoral process will proceed as follows:
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August 3, 2026: Publication of the Draft Voter List.
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August 3 – September 2, 2026: Window for the public to submit claims and objections.
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August 3 – September 28, 2026: Disposal of all claims and objections by election authorities.
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October 1, 2026: Formal publication of the Final Voter List.
Preparation for this initiative has been extensive, with the CEO confirming that all election staff and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have completed their mandatory training. To ensure technical hurdles are addressed in real-time, EROs have been instructed to maintain constant communication with BLOs via video conferencing to troubleshoot any challenges, from logistics to technical difficulties, encountered on the ground.
As the drive begins tomorrow, the state election office remains committed to ensuring that the electoral roll is both accurate and reflective of the current electorate.
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