Special Roll Observer emphasises importance of accuracy in electoral rolls

As part of the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls–2026, the Special Roll Observer, Kuldip Narayan, held discussions with District Election Officers and District Collectors of four districts to review the progress of the revision work.

He chaired a review meeting with Collectors, S. Kandasamy (Erode), Durga Moorthy (Namakkal), R. Brindha Devi (Salem) and S. Saravanan (Dindigul) along with the Electoral Registration Officers of the eight Assembly constituencies in Erode district. This was followed by a consultative meeting with representatives of recognised political parties.

During the review, Mr. Narayan examined the comparison of the 2002 electoral rolls with the 2025 rolls, the number of voters prior to the Special Intensive Revision, and the number included in the draft electoral rolls released after the revision. Details relating to persons with disabilities, overseas voters, prominent voters and defence service voters, among other categories, were also reviewed.

He further assessed measures such as the splitting of polling stations with more than 1,200 voters, creation and relocation of polling stations, cases of voters not found at their addresses, and the status of meetings held with representatives of recognised national and State political parties at the district and constituency levels. The progress in receiving Forms 6, 7 and 8, as well as the linking of Aadhaar and mobile phone numbers with the electoral rolls, was also reviewed.

During discussions with political party representatives, Mr. Narayan stressed that Booth Level Agents–2 (BLA-2) from all recognised political parties should be appointed in all polling stations without exception. He instructed BLA-2s to give special attention to objections relating to Absentee, Shifted, Deceased and Duplicate (ASDD) voters and to promptly report any changes. He also emphasised that Form-6 applications for the inclusion of new voters should be collected from eligible applicants and submitted without delay.

Emphasising the importance of accuracy in electoral rolls, Mr. Narayan instructed officials to ensure that all eligible citizens are included, errors are eliminated, and public representations are examined and disposed of in a transparent and systematic manner.