ECI opens fresh window for electors missing from SIR draft rolls in 7 states

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of six states - Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Nagaland - and the Union Territory of Delhi to provide one more opportunity to electors whose names were excluded from the draft electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.In a letter dated November 6, the Commission said electors who were issued Enumeration Forms but whose names were excluded after being marked as ASDD - Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate - would be allowed to submit their forms again to seek inclusion in the final electoral rolls.The Commission said these electors would be allowed to submit their duly filled Enumeration Forms to the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) corresponding to their current ordinary residence.ECI DIRECTS FRESH DISPLAY OF LISTS OF EXCLUDED ELECTORSAs part of the directions, booth-wise lists of electors marked under the ASDD categories will be displayed again on the notice boards of the respective polling stations, Panchayat Bhawans and urban local body offices. The lists will also be uploaded in a readable PDF format on the websites of the respective Chief Electoral Officers. The lists will include the probable reasons for the non-inclusion of the electors' names in the draft rolls.The ECI has also directed district election officers and electoral registration officers to generate partially filled Enumeration Forms afresh through their ECINET dashboards. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will be asked to contact the concerned electors and ensure delivery of the forms either physically or through WhatsApp, email or SMS, wherever contact details are available. Electors will also be able to download and fill their forms through the ECI website or ECINET app using the same EPIC number that existed before their names were deleted.SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR ELECTORS WHO HAVE SHIFTEDThe Commission has prescribed separate procedures for electors who have not shifted residence and those who have moved within the same state.Electors who continue to reside at the same address will have to submit their filled and signed Enumeration Forms along with a statement explaining why they could not submit the form earlier.They can submit these documents physically through themselves or a family member, or use the online facility on ECINET with e-sign.Those who have shifted residence within the same state will not be required to submit Form 8. Instead, they will have to submit an Enumeration Form along with a statement mentioning their new address and Assembly Constituency, along with address proof, to the ERO or AERO concerned.The ECI has also said that homeless electors who do not have address documents can use a field verification report by the BLO as proof of residence.BLOs have been directed to coordinate with Booth Level Agents of political parties and make house-to-house visits, besides checking with neighbours, family members and Resident Welfare Associations, to trace the electors.The Commission has asked the CEOs to ensure wide publicity of the measures and put monitoring mechanisms in place so that eligible electors are not deprived of the opportunity to be included in the final electoral rolls. It has also stressed that safeguards must be maintained to prevent duplicate enrolments.- Ends