Key Dates and Procedures Announced for Special Summary Revision in Assam
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a special summary revision (SSR) of the photo electoral rolls for Assam, with January 1, 2025, as the qualifying date. This major electoral exercise, slated to be conducted in two phases, follows the recent delimitation of constituencies in Assam, completed in August 2023.
Detailed Revision Schedule and Objectives
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, the Election Commission of India outlined the comprehensive schedule for the SSR. The pre-revision activities will commence on August 20, 2024, and continue until October 28, 2024. These initial steps are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and quality of the electoral rolls and include house-to-house verification, rationalization of polling stations, and the removal of discrepancies.
Phases of the Summary Revision
The pre-revision phase will focus on:
- House-to-House Verification: Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) will visit households to verify existing voter details and identify unenrolled eligible citizens.
- Rationalization of Polling Stations: Ensuring that polling stations are optimally located and accessible.
- Improvement of Image Quality: Replacing poor-quality images on the electoral rolls with clear, high-resolution photographs.
- Preparation of Draft Roll: Draft rolls will be prepared with January 1, 2025, as the reference date.
Following this, the main revision phase will begin on October 29, 2024. During this period:
- Publication of Draft Rolls: The draft photo electoral roll will be published on October 29, 2024.
- Claims and Objections: The public will have until November 28, 2024, to file claims and objections regarding the draft roll.
- Final Roll Publication: After addressing all claims and objections, the final photo electoral roll will be published on January 6, 2025.
Field Verification and Documentation
For accurate field verification, BLOs will use pre-filled registers to confirm details and collect information on various categories, including unenrolled eligible citizens and corrections needed in the electoral entries. Each BLO and Electoral Registration Officer will provide certificates to ensure 100% completion of the verification process.
Impact and Implementation Across States
SSR 2025 will be conducted in other states as directed by the Election Commission of India, with exceptions for Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Jammu & Kashmir, which are poll-bound. The comprehensive revision process aims to ensure that all eligible voters are accurately reflected in the electoral rolls and that new electors, particularly young voters, are included in time for the National Voters’ Day on January 25, 2025.
Conclusion: Ensuring Electoral Integrity
The Election Commission of India’s initiative to revise Assam’s electoral rolls is a significant step towards ensuring electoral integrity and inclusivity. By adhering to a structured revision process, the Election Commission of India aims to provide a clear and accurate voter list, fostering a fair and transparent electoral process for the upcoming elections.
