Assam to Get Cleaned-Up Voters' List in Special Revision Exercise
Image Source: Internet
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Revision (SR) exercise in Assam, aiming to update the state's electoral rolls by January 1, 2026. This move comes after several rounds of discussions between the Commission, the state government, and other stakeholders. Key to the SR process is the retention of D-Voter entries - individuals whose citizenship status is under adjudication - without fresh verification, unless a court or Foreigners' Tribunal issues an order altering their status. Pre-revision work began on Tuesday, with election officials printing required documents, training personnel, and preparing field-level materials. From November 22 to December 20, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct house-to-house verification to check existing entries, make corrections, and identify newly eligible citizens. The Commission has outlined procedures for deletions, including providing valid documentation for deaths and field verification for changes in residence. Citizens can appeal deletion decisions under the Representation of the People Act. To assess the electoral roll's condition, Electoral Registration Officials (EROs) will compile statistical formats before and after the revision. The final roll will be published on February 10, after the CEO submits analyses and a certificate confirming the removal of duplicate entries and resolution of deceased or relocated electors. The SR exercise differs from Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Special Summary Revision (SSR) in that it relies on house-to-house verification based on pre-filled registers, rather than distributing printed enumeration forms. The SR places emphasis on replacing non-compliant photographs and using system-generated reports to identify missing or incorrect images. This exercise is part of the Commission's efforts to ensure accurate and updated electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam and other states, including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal.
